legend naming issue

[Dean]

I have an XY graph with five lines. At the bottom, is the legend that shows
the values that pertain to each line, say 5%, 6%, 7%, 8%, and 9%. But it
doesn't show the name of what those values represent, such as "interest
rate". I am not sure how to get that name, which would be found in some
cell (so it can change), into the legend box. Can someone tell me how this
is done (without macros), please? If the name cannot come from a cell but
must be inserted manually into the legend, that is OK, too, though less
preferable.

Thanks!
Dean

 

[Alan]

Hi Dean,

Right click on the Chart. Select Chart Options. Select Titles.


Alan


"The only dumb question is a question left unasked."

 

[Dean]

Perhaps, I was not clear enough (or else I'm dumb). Actually, it is a line
graph, not XY, though I see no change if I change it to XY. I already have
names for the chart itself and x and y axis. What I don't have names for
are the legend labels for the values of the five lines on the chart. When I
go to where you're talking, the first 3 of 5 boxes are filled in and the
last two are hushed, and I'm not sure that those two hushed boxes would be
the right places anyway.

A workaround is to use a custom format on the 5 values, putting an "interest
rate" 0% type format. The chart then shows the word in front of the number.
But this seems to be something I shouldn't have to work around.

Thanks!
Dean

 

[Peter T]

The "Legend" always shows the Series name next to the key (an icon like
representation of the series format). You can change the series names in
various ways, try right-click chart and Source Data...

Regards,
Peter T

You can change the series name in the

 

[Dean]

Boy, I'm really thick on this one! I have five series of data of Y versus
X - each is a line of a different color. The series names are 5%, 6%, 7%,
8%, and 9% right now, these names are coming from cells. I could change
them all to one cell that says "Interest Rate", but then the name in the
legend beside each color sample would all be the same.

 

[Tom Ogilvy]

shouldn't the cell that holds 5% hold 5% Interest Rate
instead. Or it you want it changeable, then in the cell the contains 5%,
change it to have a formula like

="5% "&A9

where A9 will hold the changeable value interest rate.

 

[Dean]

Actually, now that I realize that the 5% cell does not need to be used by
any other calculation, your (variable) approach is better than my
workaround. The question is whether I would have this interest rate
formatting on only the first one, which will be visually a bit unbalanced,
especially on the table below the graph (though I guess I could have the
legend look at a version other than what's in the table, one with the &A9
part), or on all of them, which takes a lot of space in the legend. It
seems there should be some way that the legend box would have a title, but I
guess there isn't right?

This is not a big deal. Sometimes my end users focus on cosmetic nits like
this, sometimes not! Don't spend any more time on it, Tom.

Thanks!
Dean

 

[Tom Ogilvy]

You could hide the column with the 5%. Then in the next cell to the left,
(assume b5), put in a formula like =C5& $F$3

where $F$3 contains the changeable "Interest Rate" text. Then drag down
(assuming a row orientation for your data)

Then right click on the graph and select data source. click on each series
and in the name box put in =sheet1!$B$5 (the appropriate cell for each
legend item).

as an example.

Another alternative is to put a textbox on the sheet above the legent.
click the textbox, then go to the formula bar and type in

=Sheet1!$F$3 and hit enter

this will link the cell to F3.

The textbox should be the one from the drawing toolbar.

John Peltier has a site with extensive information on charts and programming
charts. You might find something better there.
http://peltiertech.com/

 

[Dean]

Wow, you are a wealth of info. Thanks!

You could hide the column with the 5%. Then in the next cell to the left,
(assume b5), put in a formula like =C5& $F$3

where $F$3 contains the changeable "Interest Rate" text. Then drag down
(assuming a row orientation for your data)

Then right click on the graph and select data source. click on each
series and in the name box put in =sheet1!$B$5 (the appropriate cell for
each legend item).

as an example.

Another alternative is to put a textbox on the sheet above the legent.
click the textbox, then go to the formula bar and type in

=Sheet1!$F$3 and hit enter

this will link the cell to F3.

The textbox should be the one from the drawing toolbar.

John Peltier has a site with extensive information on charts and
programming charts. You might find something better there.
http://peltiertech.com/