2 Questions on Pivot Tables - 1 tip

Any assistance appriciated. (Excel 2003)

1) I have a simple Pivot table showing 6 groups with their totals and a
subtotal eg:
America 10
UK 15
Oz 22 etc.
Grand Total 125

I want to Pivot Graph this data, no problems. I want however an extra line
to show the total on the Secondary Axis. I have almost got it by placing
the column in a second time as a Running Total and then as a Line on my
chart, hiding all the values until the last point.

However I would like if possible the Total as a horizontal line across the
chart?

2) I have come across Grouping Dates and the inability to Group if there
are blanks. I thaught about generating an invalid date eg 01/01/1900, to
use that and ignore it later, I thaught about sorting and inserting a row to
knock the blanks out of my pivot using a macro.....

Then a thaught, I tried linking the data into Access 2003 and writing a
Pivot Chart query and it worked. I am VERY happy to discover this, only a
simple questions, was it possible in Excel....?

Roger Knowles
MOS Master all Versions
England.