Tip #3667 - Chart Adjustment = Data Adjustment
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Chart
Adjustment = Data Adjustment
Did you know that
with some MS Excel 2D charts, you can actually adjust the chart to look
as you want it and Excel will then adjust the corresponding data to match?
This could be a good
tool for the "what if" situations. You know, what data value
do we need to make things "look right"?
If you've ever asked
yourself this type of question, you might want to take a look at this
simple trick.
Once you've made your
2D chart (it doesn't seem to work with all of them, but it certainly does
with a common bar or line graph), you need to select just
the data element to change.
(Click once
to select the entire data range, then click again on
the individual data element to select it alone).
At this point, you
can use the grab handles on the chart element to adjust its value. Some
grab handles will adjust and some won't. It's a bit of a trial and error
process, but you'll catch on with just a quick try.
Once you've got the
chart as it needs to be, simply release the grab handle. Instantly, Excel
will adjust the correct data value to match your movement.
I'm sure some of you
are wondering how all this works with formulas. As in, what data is adjusted
when the data is dependent on several sources?
In these cases, when
you release the grab handle, the Goal Seek window will
open.
Here you can tell
Excel which part of the data used in the formula should be adjusted to
create your new value. Give the cell location of the
data in the "By changing cell" field and click
OK.
There you have it.
It's super quick and easy to make adjustments to your chart and let Excel
find the correct data value to match. Yes!
~ April
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