Blog

How to Change Chart Data Range in Excel?

If you have ever used Microsoft Excel for data analysis, you know how important it is to be able to adjust the data range of a chart. Having the right data range can make the difference between a chart that is accurate and one that is misleading. Fortunately, it is easy to change the data range of a chart in Microsoft Excel. In this article, we will show you how to quickly and easily change chart data range in Excel.

What is a Chart Data Range in Excel?

A chart data range is a setting on an Excel chart that defines the range of data that the chart will use. It is a range of cells that you select when you create a chart in Excel. The range of cells can include labels, values, or dates. You can also use the chart data range to define the source data for a chart.

The chart data range can be set to use a static range of values or to dynamically update with data from an external source. In either case, it is important to understand how to change the chart data range when necessary.

How to Change Chart Data Range in Excel?

There are two ways to change the chart data range in Excel: manually or by using a macro. The manual method is the most common and simple way to change the chart data range. The macro method can be used to automate the process of changing the chart data range.

Manual Method

To change the chart data range manually, select the chart and then click on the “Chart Tools” tab in the ribbon. Click the “Select Data” button to open the “Select Data Source” dialog box. In the “Select Data Source” dialog box, click on the “Edit” button next to the “Chart Data Range” field. This will open the “Edit Series” dialog box where you can enter the new data range for the chart.

Editing the Chart Data Range

To edit the chart data range, enter the new data range in the “Series values” field. You can either enter the data range as a cell reference (e.g. A1:A10) or as a named range. If you enter the data range as a named range, make sure to select the appropriate range from the drop-down list.

Once you have entered the data range, click “OK” to save the changes and close the “Edit Series” dialog box. Then click “OK” again to save the changes and close the “Select Data Source” dialog box. Your chart will now be updated with the new data range.

Adding a New Series of Data

If you want to add a new series of data to the chart, click the “Add” button in the “Select Data Source” dialog box. This will open the “Add Series” dialog box where you can enter the data range for the new series. Enter the data range as described above and click “OK” to save the changes and close the “Add Series” dialog box. The new series will now be added to the chart.

Macro Method

The macro method allows you to automate the process of changing the chart data range. To do this, you need to create a macro that will change the chart data range based on certain criteria. For example, you could create a macro that changes the chart data range every time the data in a certain range changes.

Creating the Macro

To create the macro, open the Visual Basic Editor (VBE) by clicking the “Developer” tab in the ribbon and then clicking the “Visual Basic” button. This will open the VBE where you can write the macros.

You will need to write a macro that changes the data range of the chart based on certain criteria. For example, you could use the “Change Chart Data Range” macro to change the chart data range when the data in a certain range changes.

Running the Macro

Once the macro is written, you can run it by clicking the “Run” button in the VBE. The macro will then change the chart data range based on the criteria you specified. You can also set up the macro to run automatically when the data changes by using the “Auto_Open” macro.

Tips for Changing Chart Data Range in Excel

When changing the chart data range in Excel, it is important to make sure that the data range is correct. Make sure that the data range includes all of the data that you want to display in the chart. It is also important to make sure that the labels, values, and dates in the data range are correct.

It is also important to remember that the chart data range can be set to dynamically update with data from an external source. This allows you to create a chart that will always display the most up-to-date data. To do this, select the “Dynamic Range” option in the “Select Data Source” dialog box and enter the external source’s address.

Finally, it is important to remember that you can use macros to automate the process of changing the chart data range. This can be useful if you need to make frequent changes to the data range of a chart. To do this, create a macro that will change the chart data range based on certain criteria and then run the macro whenever the criteria is met.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Data Range?

The data range is the range of cells in an Excel worksheet that contains the data used in a chart. Depending on the chart type, the data range may include labels, values, or both. The data range is also referred to as the source data or the data source. When you create a chart, Excel determines the data range automatically.

How do I Change the Data Range?

You can change the data range of an existing chart in Excel by clicking on the chart and then clicking on the “Select Data” button in the “Design” tab of the ribbon. From there, you can click on the “Edit” button for the “Chart Data Range” to change the data range of the chart. You can also add additional data ranges to the chart, or remove existing data ranges.

What is the Difference Between a Manual and Automatic Data Range?

When you create a chart, Excel determines the data range automatically. This is known as an Automatic Data Range. If you want to manually edit the data range of a chart, you can do so by clicking on the “Select Data” button in the “Design” tab of the ribbon. This is known as a Manual Data Range.

What Happens if I Change the Data Range?

When you change the data range of a chart, the chart will be updated to reflect the new data range. The chart will also be updated to include any new data that is included in the new data range. Additionally, any existing data that is no longer in the data range will be removed from the chart.

Can I Change the Data Range of Multiple Charts at the Same Time?

Yes, you can change the data range of multiple charts at the same time by selecting all of the charts that you want to change and then clicking on the “Select Data” button in the “Design” tab of the ribbon. From there, you can click on the “Edit” button for the “Chart Data Range” and update the data range for all of the selected charts.

What Other Changes can I Make to a Chart?

In addition to changing the data range of a chart, you can also make other changes to a chart. You can change the chart type, add or remove data series, add or remove data labels, add or remove trendlines, add or remove error bars, add or remove gridlines, and much more. You can access all of these options by clicking on the “Design” tab of the ribbon.

By following the simple steps outlined in this article, you can easily change the data range of any chart in Excel. From the Insert tab, to selecting the new data range, to customizing the chart, you can quickly and easily update the chart to display the data you need. With these steps, you can easily change chart data range in Excel and ensure that your data is always presented in a visually appealing, accurate, and organized way.