Excel 2010 Bible

Chapter 19: Learning Advanced Charting

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FIGURE 19.19

This chart needs a new data series.

Tip
If the chart was originally made from data in a table (created via Insert ➪ Tables ➪ Table), the chart is updated
automatically when you add new data to the table. If you have a chart that is updated frequently with new
data, you can save time and effort by creating the chart from data in a table. n

Changing data used by a series

You may find that you need to modify the range that defines a data series. For example, say you

need to add new data points or remove old ones from the data set. The following sections describe

several ways to change the range used by a data series.

Changing the data range by dragging the range outline

If you have an embedded chart, the easiest way to change the data range for a data series is to drag

the range outline. When you select a series in a chart, Excel outlines the data range used by that

series (see Figure 19.20). You can drag the small dot in the lower-right corner of the range outline

to extend or contract the data series.

You can also click and drag one of the sides of the outline to move the outline to a different range

of cells.

In some cases, you’ll also need to adjust the range that contains the category labels as well. The

labels are also outlined, and you can drag the outline to expand or contract the range of labels used

in the chart.