Problem with Pie and Doughnut Charts

[pmtw]

Hi,

I have a couple of doubts in charts:

1) I have a graph where the Column and line charts are plotted on the
same axis. I have got that correctly as well. Now, the problem is I
want to display selective "Data Labels" on the *line graph*. How do I
accomplish this task? (Actually the values for my line graph are same,
hence its just a stright line. And I donot want the same value to be
displayed again and again. I need just one data label on the beginning
of the line)

2) Problem with Doughnut Chart: I have my "Category labels" on multiple
rows (each value is typed in 3 rows). As a result, the graph wizard
takes that as 3 different values. I tried merging the cells but in that
case I lose the contents of cell when they are merged as the value from
the first merged cell is taken. Is there a way out of this?

3) Pie Chart: I have a pie chart representing the "Points" scored by
different players. (i.e. on the excel sheet I have 2 columns: one for
player name and the other for Points). The players are from different
countries. Now, here is the problem: Instead of the legends showing the
player name I want the legends to show the Country Name to which these
players belong to. E.g. I have 8 records in total: 3 players are from
Australia, 4 are from US and 1 from India. Now in the legends I want
these 3 country names.

Pleaseeee do reply

 

[Jon Peltier]

1) I have a graph where the Column and line charts are plotted on the
same axis. I have got that correctly as well. Now, the problem is I
want to display selective "Data Labels" on the *line graph*. How do I
accomplish this task? (Actually the values for my line graph are same,
hence its just a stright line. And I donot want the same value to be
displayed again and again. I need just one data label on the beginning
of the line)

Select the line series, then the point you want to annotate, then double
click on the selected point, and use the Data Labels tab of the dialog to
add a label.

2) Problem with Doughnut Chart: I have my "Category labels" on multiple
rows (each value is typed in 3 rows). As a result, the graph wizard
takes that as 3 different values. I tried merging the cells but in that
case I lose the contents of cell when they are merged as the value from
the first merged cell is taken. Is there a way out of this?

Best practice is to use one cell per item. If the existing range is done a
certain way for the visual requirements of a table intended to be viewed,
then put the data to be plotted into another range that is better arranged
for the chart source data, then make the chart using this new range. You can
use paste link so the chart data updates when the table updates.

In fact, best best practice is to keep original data in one place, with
linked data that's formatted for a table and another that's formatted for a
chart. But this is only if you don't want formatting changes and data
rearrangement in one range to mess up the other ranges.

3) Pie Chart: I have a pie chart representing the "Points" scored by
different players. (i.e. on the excel sheet I have 2 columns: one for
player name and the other for Points). The players are from different
countries. Now, here is the problem: Instead of the legends showing the
player name I want the legends to show the Country Name to which these
players belong to. E.g. I have 8 records in total: 3 players are from
Australia, 4 are from US and 1 from India. Now in the legends I want
these 3 country names.

Chart menu > Source Data > Series tab: change the range in the Category
Labels box.

- Jon
-------
Jon Peltier, Microsoft Excel MVP
Peltier Technical Services - Tutorials and Custom Solutions -
http://PeltierTech.com/
2006 Excel User Conference, 19-21 April, Atlantic City, NJ
http://peltiertech.com/Excel/ExcelUserConf06.html
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