How do I create my charts without linking data to Excel?

[Loue]

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

Hi,

I've had success in WIndows in the past creating charts with datasheets instead of linking to excel but I am not able to replicate this - I really don't want it to flick to Excel every time I edit the chart.

Any help available would be extremely welcome!
Many thanks, Louise

 

[CyberTaz]

How are you going about it?

If you use Insert> Chart or use a slide layout that includes a Chart icon
you wind up in MS Graph with the datasheet you describe. It's only if you
use Insert> Object> MS Excel Chart that Excel gets involved.

HTH |:>)
Bob Jones
[MVP] Office:Mac

 

[Loue]

Hi, no matter what I do it links to Excel. too smart perhaps?

I have tried saving as .ppt instead of .pptx (which I do anyway as I exchange files with windows users).

Not sure what else to do to try & remove Excel links?

Cheers, Louise

 

[CyberTaz]

I'm sorry, but I can't very well attempt to explain why what you're doing
isn't working or offer any pertinent suggestions if you refuse to describe
what you're doing... "No matter what I do" discloses nothing.

If you use the methods described in my prior reply to create the charts
Excel is not involved in any way. If you already have charts that
*previously* were created as linked or embedded Excel chart objects that's a
different story. Without more accurate & descriptive information from you,
however, it's impossible to have any idea what's going on - nobody here can
peek over your shoulder, let alone see through your eyes.

Regards |:>)
Bob Jones
[MVP] Office:Mac

 

[Loue]

Hi,

I have tried both:

1. Insert> Chart or use a slide layout that includes a Chart icon
and I get Excel.

2. When I use Insert> Object> MS GRAPH Chart, I have the datasheet I was actually after. Unfortunately although this is the option I prefer (with no Excel interaction) I no longer have the formatting options I want and my Mac starts behaving like a PC (freezing, not allowing certain options ...).

I will therefore stick with Option 1 and allow interaction with Excel.
Many thanks for your help. If you have any further suggestions on how I can use Option 1 without Excel it would be appreciated.

Cheers, Louise

 

[CyberTaz]

OK - I see where the confusion lies now... And perhaps I misstated my point,
thereby stirring up the mud a little

PPt 2008 charting features do in fact rely on Excel's charting tools because
of the new graphics engine. So yes, when you insert a new chart or edit one
created by the new tools Excel does come to life. That's because the new
charting engine is not available as a separate applet. In effect an Excel
worksheet is being substituted for the old Datasheet used by MS Graph. But
even though Excel is being used as the chart editor a separate Excel file
isn't being created... I thought that was part of your concern.

The MS Graph applet is still available but uses the same older graphics
engine, which is why the formatting options are so much more limited. The
effects enabled by the newer engine can't be applied to the older style
graphics produced by MS Graph. The only reason it's even included is to
provide backward compatibility in the event you have to open an older PPt
file & revise a chart contained within it or work with other files in the
97-2003 format.

The same is true if you create a chart in Word, BTW. Excel is the vehicle
that provides the new style charting tools for Office 2008 overall.

Sorry for the misunderstanding.

Regards |:>)
Bob Jones
[MVP] Office:Mac

 

[Loue]

Thanks Bob, I really appreciate your details explanations and pursuit of this topic with me.

One other related question you can probably answer: if I save my ppt pres as Powerpoint 97-2004 format, will the Windows users I send it to be able to access / change charts without altering my formatting? (If this is the case, I just won't let them edit it!).

Many, many thanks for your explanations and patience. You've helped me enormously. Just when I thought I was an experienced PPT user a new version arrives to baffle me.

Cheers, Louise

 

[CyberTaz]

I'm not sure exactly what you're asking - If another user can change the
charts they can change *anything* about the charts. What do you specifically
want to accomplish & what version of Pt are the Windows users working with?

Regards |:>)
Bob Jones
[MVP] Office:Mac