I'm trying to utilize the Range Names feature in Excel to create a chart that will automatically update once new data is appended. I've successfully done this with two variables (i.e. Date and Temperature) but I'm unable to get it working with 3 or more variables.
Within a tab titled, 'Dynamic', I have a Date (value in A1) column with these values: 4/1/2013, 4/2/2013, 4/3/2013, 4/4/2013, 4/5/2013 (Value in A6).
I also have a Temperature (value in B1) column with these values: 55, 60, 62, 65, 61 (Value in B6).
Within the Name Manager (within Formulas tab) I created a Named Range with a Name of "Date" and a Refers to value of:
=OFFSET(Dynamic!$A$2,0,0,COUNTA(Dynamic!$A:$A)-1)
I created another Named Range with a Name of "Temperatues" and a Refers to value of:
=OFFSET(Dynamic!$B$2,0,0,COUNTA(Dynamic!$B:$B)-1)
I then selected the range A1:B6 and inserted a Clustered Column chart. Clicking on one of the bars yields this formula:
=SERIES(Dynamic!$B$1,Dynamic!$A$2:$A$6,Dynamic!$B$2:$B$6,1)
If I insert my Named Ranges in the above formula like so:
=SERIES(Dynamic!$B$1,Dynamic!Date,Dynamic!Temperatures,1)
and it will allow me to add a new row of data and it automatically updates the chart.
This is great! But when I attempt to add another variable I can't get it to work. I add Rainfall (value in C1) to the spreadsheet with these values: 1, 2, 0.5, 0, 1. I create a Name Range with a Name of "Rainfall" and a Refers to value of:
=OFFSET(Dynamic!$C$2,0,0,COUNTA(Dynamic!$C:$C)-1)
I then select A1:C6, insert a Clustered Column chart. Clicking on one of the Temperature bars I change the formula to:
=SERIES(Dynamic!$B$1,Dynamic!Date,Dynamic!Temperatures,1)
When I attempt to change the formula for the Rainfall bars I try this:
=SERIES(Dynamic!$C$1,Dynamic!Date,Dynamic!Rainfall,2)
but when I hit enter it won't do anything. So, I'm left with a chart that won't update automatically.
Assuming I could get this to work, I'd like to move the Rainfall data onto a secondary axis and change the chart type to a line chart (so that it all fits nicely onto the same chart area).
Can you tell me what I need to do to get this example to work? Thank you!
I couldn't get this to work either, using the SERIES formula. Then again, I suppose it is considered an undocumented feature.
However, if you edit using the Select Data dialog then it works.
Related
I have a line chart in excel with data already set; I need to add a vertical line that moves according to the X values (month dates). For example for this month the line will move on the X value of "Jul-20"
Below I have attached the screenshot of the chart and the chart data. I have never had my hands on excel chart up until now and this chart has not been made by myself. Any help would be appreciated.
UPDATE 1
Thanks to #Steven Pomponio
when I try to add the new series for the vertical line, I do not have the "Y" values; see screenshot
UPDATE 2
added a new data source with values as 01/072020 and /01/07/2020 in cells J182 and K182; now I see a black dot on the left between the £10.0m and £ 20.0m Y values. If I change the verttical line data source chart type to be "Scatter with straight lines" then I do not even see the point.
If I change teh entire chart to be of Scatter with straight lines then I do see the Series Y Values but the whole chart change design and I do not want to do this.
UPDATE 3
Thanks to #Steven Pomponio I did it
Choose two cells in which you will have your target x value where the vertical line will appear, for this example I'll be using cells (E1) and (E2). Within cell (E1) you'll want to type in the formula =TODAY()-DAY(TODAY())+1 in order to get the first date of the current month. Cell (E2) can just be =E1.
In two cells, preferably next to them you will need to enter in the minimum and maximum bounds of one of your axes (Since you are already using a dual axes). It is important that these numbers are the same as what you set for the axis min & max bounds as this allows for you the line to properly span across the entire chart. Don't leave them on Auto.
Next, right click on your chart and click Select Data -> Add -> and add in the two dates (cells (E1) and (E2)) into the Series X Values, and the min and max bounds into the Series Y Values.
The final step is to make sure that the Chart type for this newly added series is selected as Scatter with Straight Lines and plotted on whichever axis you set the bounds equal to.
So I got Sheet1 with a table containing some data. To simplify let's say there's a column 'x' with some data and a column 'y' with some data. Every now and then more values are manually added to the table.
On Sheet2 I need Excel to automatically plot a graph only using the last 10 values in the table. So when more values are added the graph changes automatically to the new last 10 values. Is this possible?
Furthermore, let's say there's a third column 'z' that's always a constant value (for example to show some kind of a maximum for 'y' in the graph). How to make Excel automatically fill the cell with the number when the according 'x' and 'y' cells are filled? I know I could manually fill the 'z' column all the way down but I suspect that would screw up with plotting the last 10 values.
I'm using MS Excel 2013.
Thank you very much!
You'll need to create a chart using dynamic named ranges as the series data.
Start by setting up the data table with headings x, y and z.
Select x heading and click Insert > Table, make sure "My table has headers"
is checked then click OK
In column z, to set 20 as the autofilled value, add formula =20
Put your data in columns x and y
Create your chart based on columns x and y. This example creates a XY Plot.
Assuming you've only got one table in your workbook, it will be named "Table1".
Go to Formulas > Name Manager > New
xPlot: =OFFSET(Table1[[#Headers],[x]],COUNTA(Table1[z])-9,0,10,1)
Also create:
yPlot: =OFFSET(Table1[[#Headers],[y]],COUNTA(Table1[z])-9,0,10,1)
Right click on your chart and click Select Data...
Remove the Series that is there
Create a new Series
If your workbook was called Chart Example.xlsx, then set:
Series X values: 'Chart Example.xlsx'!xPlot
Series Y values: 'Chart Example.xlsx'!yPlot
Click OK and try adding more data.
I have this bar chart in excel :
As you see, if there is #'¡DIV/0!, the values are 0. What I really want is that the bar chart just shows the numeric values. In this case. just the first three values would have to be visualized. I tried the formula IF.ERROR(FORMULA,"") but the result was the same,
So, How Can I do that?
You need dynamic ranges for the chart, or filter the data source to hide the rows with the error. Excel charts will not include data that is hidden with a filter.
To apply dynamic ranges, create two range names with the following formulas:
chtLabels =OFFSET(chtValues,0,-1)
chtValues =Sheet1!$B$12:INDEX(Sheet1!$B:$B,MATCH(99^99,Sheet1!$B:$B,1))
Adjust the chtValues range name to start in the first cell with a number in column B instead of B12 of the example.
Edit the column chart series values and enter the range name, preceded by the sheet name, like
=Sheet1!chtValues
Edit the Horizontal axis labels and replace the range with the dynamic named range
=Sheet1!chtLabels
When you exit the dialog, Excel will replace the sheet name with the file name. The result will be similar to this:
Note how the series formula shows the range names instead of the cell ranges.
=IFERROR(value, value_if_error) where value_if_error should equal 0 or "" or whatever you want
I have a client that has a simple yet complicated request for an excel sheet setup, and I can't for the world thing of where to start. I'm drawing a blank.
We have a data range. Example:
Quarter Data
2010Q1 1
2010Q2 3
2010Q3 4
2010Q4 1
I have a chart built on top of that. Change data, chart changes, protect worksheet to keep other idi... er... users from changing old data. Simple.
What I want to have happen: When I add the next Q1 below Q4, the chart "automagically" selects the most recent 4Q. So when I update the data to:
Quarter Data
2010Q1 1
2010Q2 3
2010Q3 4
2010Q4 1
2011Q1 7
The chart will show data for the last 4 quarters (2010Q2 thru 2011Q1). The goal being: keep "old" data on the same sheet, but have the charts update to most recent quarters.
I'm thinking: "fixed" data locations, reverse the data (new data at top), and just insert row each new quarter:
Quarter Data
2011Q2 9
2011Q1 7
2010Q4 1
2010Q3 4
2010Q2 3
2010Q1 1
But this will involve a lot of changes to the already existing excel sheets and I was hoping that there may be an easier/better "fix".
EDIT:
#Lance Roberts ~ Running with your suggestion:
- Little more detail... The data is setup such that the column information is in A, but data for multiple tables are in B+. Table 1 is B/C. Table2 is D/E. Etc.
- Data is also on a different sheet than the tables.
Going by: This Offset Description, what I've tried doing is adjusting similar to such:
NAME FORMULA OFFSET(range, rows, columns, height, width )
DATA0 =OFFSET('DATASHEET'!$A$2, COUNTA('DATASHEET'!$A:$A - 8, 0, 8, 1)
DATA1 =OFFSET('DATASHEET'!$A$2, COUNTA('DATASHEET'!$A:$A - 8, 1, 8, 1)
DATA2 =OFFSET('DATASHEET'!$A$2, COUNTA('DATASHEET'!$A:$A - 8, 2, 8, 1)
Goal being to tie the length/location for B/C/etc data to A. So if I add a column on A, stuff tied to Data1/2 adjust accordingly (or 3/4/5/etc, which are different charts on different sheets
)
I want data cells to be picked by the first row, and then an offset number to get data x columns over. Variations on the formula don't seem to be working.
1 issue I haven't solved yet: the data is not aligning properly:
"Data" is always, last column under 2nd to last Quarter. Last quarter is always empty. Data is shifting to the right (in this example, under 3Q10 - NOT under the correct column. 11 should be under 4Q10. 9.5 should be under 2Q10).
I know I'm getting something simple wrong...
Seems to be working. First thing I had to change was CountA - 9 (not CountA - 8). Next was the "column offset" (0, 1, 2, 3,...). Also split some stuff up to make it more compartmentalized (I do have to train someone else how to do this for her reporting needs).
Thanks Lance :)
If the chart is on the same sheet as the data:
Name the first cell of the data (A2) as a named range, say TESTRANGE.
Created a named range MYDATA as the following formula:
=OFFSET(TESTRANGE, COUNTA($A:$A) - 5, 0, 4, 2)
Now, go to the SERIES tab of the chart SOURCE DATA dialog, and change your VALUES statement to:
=Sheet1!MYDATA
Now everytime you add a new row, it'll change the chart.
I know this is an old question, but I wanted to share an alternative that may be easier.
Change your Quarter-Data range to an Excel Table. Select the range, and press Ctrl+T. In the Insert Table, make sure the correct data range is selected, and that My Table Has Headers is checked, and press OK. This converts the simple range into a special data structure with magical properties.
Then make a new range which links to the last four rows of this table, and create a chart based on this new range. This is illustrated below. The table is the specially formatted range in A1:B9 (you can choose a less in-your-face style), and the plotting range is D1:E5.
The formulas in cells D2 through D5 are below. Copy D2:D5 and paste into E2:E5 to complete the formulas in our plotting range.
D2: =INDEX(Table1[Quarter],ROWS(Table1[Quarter])-3)
D3: =INDEX(Table1[Quarter],ROWS(Table1[Quarter])-2)
D4: =INDEX(Table1[Quarter],ROWS(Table1[Quarter])-1)
D5: =INDEX(Table1[Quarter],ROWS(Table1[Quarter]))
Table1 is the name assigned to the Table, and Quarter is the name of the first column of the Table (and also the column header). You don't need to type all this, just select the column in the Table. As the Table expands or contracts, Table1[Quarter] keeps track of the changes.
Now add a new data point. The Table expands, and our little staging area in D1:E5 links to the new last four rows of the table.
And as we add years worth of data, the formulas and the chart keep up.
I've got a spreadsheet with plenty of graphs in it and one sheet with loads of data feeding those graphs.
I've plotted the data on each graph using
=Sheet1!$C5:$C$3000
This basically just plots the values in C5 to C3000 on a graph.
Regularly though I just want to look at a subset of the data i.e. I might just want to look at the first 1000 rows for example. Currently to do this I have to modify the formula in each of my graphs which takes time.
Would you know a way to simplify this? Ideally if I could just have a cell on single sheet that it reads in the row number from and plots all the graphs from C5 to C 'row number' would be best.
Any help would be much appreciated.
OK, I had to do a little more research, here's how to make it work,
completely within the spreadsheet (without VBA):
Using A1 as the end of your desired range,
and the chart being on the same sheet as the data:
Name the first cell of the data (C5) as a named range, say TESTRANGE.
Created a named range MYDATA as the following formula:
=OFFSET(TESTRANGE, 0, 0, Sheet1!$A$1, 1)
Now, go to the SERIES tab of the chart SOURCE DATA dialog,
and change your VALUES statement to:
=Sheet1!MYDATA
Now everytime you change the A1 cell value, it'll change the chart.
Thanks to Robert Mearns for catching the flaws in my previous answer.
This can be achieved in two steps:
Create a dynamic named range
Add some VBA code to update the charts data source to the named range
Create a dynamic named Range
Enter the number of rows in your data range into a cell on your data sheet.
Create a named range on your data sheet (Insert - Name - Define) called MyRange that has a formula similar this:
=OFFSET(Sheet1!$A$1,0,0,Sheet1!$D$1,3)
Update the formula to match your layout
Sheet1!$A$1 set this to the top left hand side of your data range
Sheet1!$D$1 set this to the cell containing the number of rows
3 set this value to the number of columns
Test that the named range is working:
Select the dropdown menus Edit - Go To, type MyRange into the reference field.
Your data area for the chart should be selected.
Add some VBA code
Open the VBA IDE (Alt-F11)
Select Sheet1 in the VBAProject window and insert this code
Private Sub Worksheet_Change(ByVal Target As Range)
If Target.Address <> "$D$1" Then Exit Sub
'Change $D$1 to the cell where you have entered the number of rows
'When the sheet changes, code checks to see if the cell $D$1 has changed
ThisWorkbook.Sheets("Sheet1").ChartObjects(1).Chart.SetSourceData _
Source:=ThisWorkbook.Sheets("Sheet1").Range("MyRange")
' ThisWorkbook.Sheets("Chart1").SetSourceData _
Source:=ThisWorkbook.Sheets("Sheet1").Range("MyRange")
'The first line of code assumes that chart is embedded into Sheet1
'The second line assumes that the chart is in its own chart sheet
'Uncomment and change as required
'Add more code here to update all the other charts
End Sub
Things to watch for
Do not directly use the named range as the data source for the chart. If you enter the named range "MyRange" as the Source Data - Data Range for the chart, Excel will automatically convert the named range into an actual range. Any future changes to your named range will therefore not update your chart.
Performance might be impacted by the approaches listed above.
The OFFSET function in the named range is "volatile" which means that it recalculates whenever any cell in the workbook calculates. If performance is an issue, replace it with the INDEX formula.
=Sheet1!$A$1:INDEX(Sheet1!$1:$65536,Sheet1!$D$1,2)
The code fires everytime data is changed on Sheet1. If performance is an issue, change the code to run only when requested (i.e. via a button or menu).
You could look at dynamic ranges. If you use the OFFSET function, you can specify a starting cell and the number of rows and columns to select. This site has some useful information about assigning a name to an OFFSET range.
You can set the range for a chart dynamically in Excel. You can use something like the following VBA code to do it:
Private Sub Worksheet_Change(ByVal Target as Range)
Select Case Target
Case Cells(14, 2)
Sheet1.ChartObjects(1).Chart.SetSourceData Range("$C5:$C$" & Cells(14,2))
...
End Select
End Sub
In this case, the cell containing the number of the last row to include is B14 (remember row first when referring to the Cells object). You could also use a variable instead of the Cells reference if you wanted to do this entirely in code. (This works in both 2007 and 2003.) You can assign this procedure to a button and click it to refresh your chart once you update the cell containing the last row.
However, this may not be precisely what you want to do ... I am not aware of a way to use a formula directly within a chart to specify source data.
Edit: And as PConroy points out in a comment, you could put this code in the Change event for that worksheet, so that neither a button nor a key combination is necessary to run the code. You can also add code so that it updates each chart only when the matching cell is edited.
I've updated the example above to reflect this.
+1s for the name solution.
Note that names don't really really reference ranges, they reference formulae. That's why you can set a name to something like "=OFFSET(...)" or "=COUNT(...)". You can create named constants, just make the name reference something like "=42".
Named formulae and array formulae are the two worksheet techniques that I find myself applying to not-quite-power-user worksheets over and over again.
An easy way to do this is to just hide the rows/columns you don't want included - when you go to the graph it automatically excludes the hidden rows/columns
Enhancing the answer of #Robert Mearns, here's how to use dynamic cells ranges for graphs using only the Excel's formulas (no VBA required):
Create a dynamic named Range
Say you have 3 columns like:
A5 | Time | Data1 | Data2 |
A6 | 00:00 | 123123 | 234234 |
...
A3000 | 16:54 | 678678 | 987987 |
Now, the range of your data may change according to the data you may have, like you have 20 rows of data, 3000 rows of data or even 25000 rows of data. You want to have a graph that will be updated automatically without the need to re-set the range of your data every time you update the data itself.
Here's how to do it simply:
Define another cell that it's value will have the number of the occupied cells with data, and put the formula =COUNTIF(A:A,"<>"&"") in it. For example, this will be in cell D1.
Go to "Formulas" tab -> "Define Name" to define a name range.
In the "New Name" window:
i. Give your data range a name, like DataRange for example.
ii. In the "Refers to" set the formula to: =OFFSET(Sheet1!$A$1, 0, 0,Sheet1!$D$1,3),
where:
Sheet1!$A$1 => Reference: is the Reference from which you want to base the offset.
0 => Rows: is the number of rows, up or down, that you want the upper-left cell of the results to refer to.
0 => Columns: is the number of columns, to the left or right, that you want the upper-left cell of the results to refer to.
Sheet1!$D$1 => Height: is the height, in number of rows, that you want the result to be.
3 => Width: is the width, in number of columns, that you want the result to be.
Add a Graph, and in the "Select Data Source" window, in the Chart data range, insert the formula as you created. For the example: =Sheet1!DataRange
The Cons: If you directly use the named range as the data source for the chart, Excel will automatically convert the named range into an actual range. Any future changes to your named range will therefore not update your chart.
For that you need to edit the chart and re-set the range to =Sheet1!DataRange every time. This may not be so usable, but it's better than editing the range manually...