Creating a chart in Excel that runs off of a drop down menu

[maclover]

Version: 2008
Operating System: Mac OS X 10.5 (Leopard)
Processor: Power PC

I apologize for not being clearer about what I'm actually trying to do. So let me try again, I have created an excel spreadsheet that reflects monthly expenses phone, electric, car payments, etc. I would like to have a drop down menu with the following categories, the 12 months, yearly stats and percentages. So lets say january is selected, the payouts for the month (groceries, car payments, dining, etc) would be reflected in the pie chart. I tried to place the data in a table and a pivot table, list and filter and nothing has worked for me. If you could help I would greatly appreciated it.

 

[Carl Witthoft]

Version: 2008
Operating System: Mac OS X 10.5 (Leopard)
Processor: Power PC

I apologize for not being clearer about what I'm actually trying to do. So
let me try again, I have created an excel spreadsheet that reflects monthly
expenses phone, electric, car payments, etc. I would like to have a drop down
menu with the following categories, the 12 months, yearly stats and
percentages. So lets say january is selected, the payouts for the month
(groceries, car payments, dining, etc) would be reflected in the pie chart. I
tried to place the data in a table and a pivot table, list and filter and
nothing has worked for me. If you could help I would greatly appreciated it.

Read a bit about defining Names. Then if you use your drop-down list to
select a name, and modify the chart's series definition so it plots
the values INDIRECT([cell_that_has_the_Name_you_chose]) (i.e. instead
of the usual A1:A50 sort of data reference in the Series definition),
you'll be all set.

That's not terribly clear, so if you like please email me and I can send
an example spreadsheet&chart. I believe the OATBRAN project may have a
sample in one of their workbooks.