Extending Your Chart Data

So, you’ve got a beautiful Excel chart (known to some of you as a graph) and it’s the perfect thing to display your data.

It’s got all the labels, colors, titles and every other aspect any good chart would have, but of all the bad luck, now you’ve got to start over.

Why, you ask?

Well, unfortunately you’ve got more data to add to the chart.

So, that means starting over, doesn’t it?

If I answered “Yes,” you’d be disappointed and there’d be no tip for today, so I’ll have to answer with a resounding, “No Way! We’re not starting anything over!”

Believe it or not, your problem can be solved with a quick click, click and drag.

Here’s the deal. First, select the chart by clicking on it.

You should notice that the chart’s data is now highlighted in a color outline.

See the little squares at the corners of the outline?

Use a square to click, hold and drag the outline to include your extra data.

Now, release the mouse button.

Quick! Take a look at your chart.

Do you see it?

Yep, that’s right! Your chart instantly updated itself to include the extra data.

The coolest part?

You didn’t have to start the chart over.

You simply had to click (on the chart), click (on the outline corner) and drag (to include the new data)!

~ April

Extending Your Chart Data

So, you’ve got a beautiful Excel chart (known to some of you as a graph) and it’s the perfect thing to display your data.

It’s got all the labels, colors, titles and every other aspect any good chart would have… but of all the bad luck, now you’ve got to start over.

Why, you ask?

Well, unfortunately you’ve got more data to add to the chart.

So that means starting over doesn’t it?

If I answered “Yes” then you’d be disappointed and there’d be no tip for today, so, I’ll have to answer with a resounding “No Way! We’re not starting anything over!”.

Believe it or not, your problem can be solved with a quick click, click and drag.

Here’s the deal—first, select the chart by clicking on it.

You should notice that the data the chart’s data is now highlighted in a color outline.

See the little squares at the corners of the outline?

Use a square to click, hold and drag the outline to include your extra data.

Now release the mouse button.

Quick—take a look at your chart!

Do you see it?

Yep, that’s right, you’re chart instantly updated itself to include the extra data.

The coolest part?

You didn’t have to start the chart over.

You simply had to click (on the chart), click (on the outline corner) and drag (to include the new data)!

~ April