Chart Wizard Data Source

[AntnyMI]

The cells in Column A (A1:A168) have a Data Validation list that allows
the user to select 1 of 5 names (e.g., Bob, Tony, Sue, Mark and Mary).
I would like to use the Chart wizard to create a pie chart to see how
many times the various people were selected (e.g., Bob 65%, Tony 12%,
Sue 5%, Mark 0% and Mary 18%). Heowever, everytime I put in my data
range of A1:A100, lists 168 different series. I've tried several other
data & series ranges, but have not been able to stumble across the
correct method to achieve the desired results. Any suggestions?

 

[Jon Peltier]

You have to give a chart some numbers to plot. You're just giving it a list
of text.

You can use a pivot table to turn this list into a useful table. Put a title
above the column, something like "Names". Select the data, then start the
Pivot Table Report wizard from the Data menu. When you get your empty pivot
table frame, drag the Names field to the Rows area, and drag another copy of
the Names field to the Data area. Now you can make a pivot chart, or you can
make a regular chart, following instructions on this page:

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

- Jon