Can you "freeze" a chart??

[Lisa in Texas]

I am not good at Excel so I hope that I can ask this and have it make sense
to someone.
I enter data into a spread sheet. At the top (which will be my catagory X
axis tables)are lot numbers of a product.
I begin by putting in my lot numbers. Beneath each lot number I enter how
many returns in a particular month I have had for each. At the end of that
row, I put the month "JAN".
I then highlight it all and make a nice little chart which I do not embed in
the sheet, but make it another page. That's all good!
I go to the next month. Under the lot numbers I already have listed I enter
how many returns I have had for February and at the end of that row, I put
"FEB". That is good. BUT....I have 5 more lot numbers to add too. So, I add
those to my lot numbers at the top and enter the values for them. Of course
for those I have to enter "0" in my January row. I highlight it all and have
my February chart -which shows lot numbers and returns for both months.
So, I have my excel sheet and two charts JAN - which shows lot numbers and
returns for JAN. And FEB, which shows lot numbers and retrurns for JAN and
FEB.
What I do not want to happen is.....the lot numbers that I entered in FEB
that were not relevant in January (those that I had to put "0"s in for) - I
don't want them automatically popping up in my January chart.
See-- say I only had 6 lot numbers in January that I had returns for. Then
in Feb I have 10. When I enter those on my excel sheet they automatically
pop into my January chart.
I know this is probably a stupid question and I apologize. Is there some way
to eliminate those lot numbers and all the zeros from showing on the chart
UNTIL the month that the particular lot number needs to be shown?

 

[AltaEgo]

Firstly, Excel works easier if you have headings at the top of the columns
and relevant data in rows below. For example, you might have:

Row 1 Blank
Row 2 Your main heading

A3 - Product
B3 - Month
C3 - Returns

For each record, your product, month and returns will appear below relevant
headings above.

One you have your data entered, the most efficient way to enter charts that
you need to vary is with a pivot chart. This may sound a little daunting if
you haven't done it before but, if you follow the instructions in the link
below, I promise you it is worth the effort.

http://pubs.logicalexpressions.com/Pub0009/LPMArticle.asp?ID=553

The above also shows examples that demonstrate how to lay out your data.

OK, that is a lot to read. So here is what you need to do step-by-step after
organising your data:

1) Highlight your data
2) Click Data, PivotTable and PivotChart Report...
3) Select PivotChart Report
4) Click "Next"
5) The result already contains your data range so, click "Next"
6) Choose a location (if existing worksheet, you will need to supply a blank
cell (choose somewhere next to your data so you have room for more records).
7) Click "Finish"
8) Drag your month column heading onto "Drop Page Fields Here"
9) Drag your products column heading onto "Drop Category Fields Here"
10) Drag you returns column heading onto "Drop Data Items Here"
11) Click "Finish".
12) Close the "PivotTable Field List"

Right-Click on the chart to see different options (for example Chart type)
You are not stuck with the layout about. For example, you can click on the
month drop-down and drag it next to your products heading or across to the
"Drop Series Field Here". Play with drop-down boxes and their locations to
see what you can do.


NOTE:
After you enter new or revise data, you need to refresh your pivot table.
Notice that after you followed the above steps, as well as the chart a new
sheet was created (or a pivot table next to your data).
1) Right-click somewhere within your pivot table (pivot data not pivot
chart)
2) Click "PivotTable Wizard"
3) Click "Back" until you arrive at the data range of your raw data. Update
this to include any new data. Click "Finish".

You can now select your chart month using the drop-down box. You will only
see details of product with values entered against the relevant n\month, If
you need to see every product each month, you will need to enter a zero
value if there is no other record of that product in the month.

HTH

 

[Lisa in Texas]

Hey Steve,
Thanks so much for your time! I will give this a shot today for sure. I
really appreciate the step-by-step. I'll let you know how it goes. -Lisa O.