Excel Change Chart Data Range Based On Cell Value
If you're working with charts in Excel, you may find yourself needing to change the data range based on cell values. This can be a time-consuming task if you have a lot of charts to update, but luckily there's a way to automate the process.
Step 1: Set Up Your Data
The first step is to set up your data in Excel. Create a table of data that you want to use in your chart. Make sure that the data is organized in columns or rows, and that there are no blank cells.
Step 2: Create Your Chart
Next, create your chart. Select the data you want to use in your chart and click on the "Insert" tab. Choose the type of chart you want to create and click on it.
Step 3: Add a Data Range Name
To make it easier to update your chart later, you should give your data range a name. Click on the "Formulas" tab and choose "Define Name". In the "New Name" dialog box, enter a name for your data range and click "OK".
Step 4: Add a Cell Reference to Your Data Range Name
Now you need to add a cell reference to your data range name. In the formula bar, type "=INDIRECT("name")", replacing "name" with the name of your data range. This will create a cell reference to your data range.
Step 5: Add a Control Cell
To update your chart data range based on a cell value, you need to create a control cell. This cell will contain the value that you want to use to update the chart data range. You can use a drop-down list or a simple input cell, depending on your needs.
Step 6: Link Your Control Cell to Your Data Range Name
Next, you need to link your control cell to your data range name. In the formula bar, type "=OFFSET(name,0,0,value)", replacing "name" with the name of your data range and "value" with the cell reference of your control cell. This will create a new data range based on the value in your control cell.
Step 7: Update Your Chart Data Range
Finally, you need to update your chart data range. Right-click on your chart and choose "Select Data". In the "Select Data Source" dialog box, click on the "Edit" button next to the "Values" box. In the "Edit Series" dialog box, change the data range to the new data range created in step 6.
Conclusion
By following these steps, you can easily update your Excel chart data range based on a cell value. This can save you a lot of time if you have multiple charts to update, and it can also make your charts more dynamic and flexible.