Automatically update graphs

[Guest]

I have a worksheet full of raw data and other worksheets which are just
charts based on the raw data. I continually add more data to the raw data
worksheet, and I was wondering if there is a way to change the source data of
the chart so that it will automatically update if the raw data changes. To
clarify this, I will give an example. If on Monday I have 5 rows of data and
every day that week I add more rows, so that by friday I have 10 rows of data
(with the most recent data comprising the top row), can I have the chart
automatically include all of the data? Thanks for your help

 

[Jon Peltier]

See Dynamic Charts:

http://peltiertech.com/Excel/Charts/Dynamics.html

- Jon

 

[Guest]

Thanks for your help Jon, I am using the "Dynamic Charting By Dates (TechTrax
Article)" However, when I am actuallty creating the chart, when I enter
"=Data!ChartFirmA" (except I have a different name besides "FirmA") I get an
error message that says "Reference is not valid. Reference must be to an
open worksheet." What does this mean, what did I do wrong, and how can I
correct it? Thanks for your help,
Chris

 

[Guest]

OK, I think i have the answer to that question, but I am still having
problems. My worksheet is called "Raw Data." But when I click on an empty
cell to create my graph, I enter "='Raw Data'!$B$1" into the name box, but
when I enter "='Raw Data'!ChartEuropeanEquity" I get a message that says
"Your formula contains an invalid external reference to a worksheet. Verify
that the path, workbook and range name or cell reference are correct, and try
again." What is wrong with the formula that I have written? Thanks for your
help,
Chris

 

[Jon Peltier]

Make sure the worksheet name and the defined name are correctly referenced
in the formula. Sometimes what I do is create the chart with data from the
worksheet on which the defined names reside, then change the addresses in
the chart formula to the defined names; this is relatively foolproof. This
means change this:

=SERIES('My Sheet'!$B$1,'My Sheet'!$A$2:$A$18,'My Sheet'!$B$2:$B$18,1)

to this:

=SERIES('My Sheet'!$B$1,'My Sheet'!MyXValues,'My Sheet'!MyYValues,1)

When you hit Enter, Excel changes the sheet name to the workbook name if the
names are defined for the workbook at large:

=SERIES('My Sheet'!$B$1,TestBook.xls!MyXValues,TestBook.xls!MyYValues,1)

- Jon

 

[Jon Peltier]

Try replacing 'Raw Data' with the workbook name. If the name resides on a
different sheet, then 'Raw Data'!BlahBlah may raise the error.

- Jon

 

[Guest]

I'll be honest, that confused me! I have been following the article I
mentioned before to a tee, but now I am confused as to what formula I should
put in for the values box. Where do I put in the "'Raw
Data'ChartEuropeanEquity"? I want to create a dynamic chart, and with
=SERIES('My Sheet'!$B$1,'My Sheet'!$A$2:$A$18,'My Sheet'!$B$2:$B$18,1)
wouldn't that create a static sheet? Sorry I am so lost, I really
apprecitate your help
Chris

 

[Guest]

The first 2 links in the first paragraph in
Dynamic Charts
http://www.tushar-mehta.com/excel/newsgroups/dynamic_charts/index.html

are about 'named formulas' and 'using them in charts.' You may find both
links useful.
--
Regards,

Tushar Mehta
http://www.tushar-mehta.com
Custom business solutions leveraging a multi-disciplinary approach

 

[Jon Peltier]

What I said was, I start with a static chart with a series formula that
points to static ranges, then I edit the series formula so it points to the
dynamic named ranges.

- Jon

 

[Guest]

So by now I'm sure you know that I am no expert with regards to excel. One
thing you mentioned Tushar was that there can not be any breaks in between
the Column title and the actual data. My titles are in row 1 (B1 to N1)
however my data begins in row 8. I don't know whether I should be using the
Offset function or the series function (I told you i'm no expert!), and I am
unsure of what I should put in the Values box when I am trying to create my
graph. I have been following Jon's "Dynamic Charting By Dates (TechTrax
Article)" If my worksheet name is 'Raw Data' could you tell me what I should
put in that box? Thanks again, I really appreicaite it

 

[Guest]

Hey Jon, Do you think you could help me out with the post I added under
Tushar? Thanks
Chris

 

[Guest]

Hey Jon,
I tried copying your generic "values" box formula "=SERIES('My
Sheet'!$B$1,'My Sheet'!MyXValues,'My Sheet'!MyYValues,1)"
So I entered "=Series('Raw Data"!$B$1,'Raw
Data'!ChartDates,'RawData'!ChartEuropeanEquity,1)" however I am still told
there is an error in the formula. I know this must be frustrating for you,
but believe me, it is just as frustrating, if not more so for me! Thanks
again,
Chris

 

[Jon Peltier]

You have one single quote and one double quote around the first 'Raw Data',
and the third is spelled without a space.

- Jon

 

[Guest]

Jon, those mistakes were merely type-o's that I made re-entering it in this
window. I have entered "=Series('Raw Data'!$B$1,'Raw Data'!ChartDates,'Raw
Data'!ChartEuropeanEquity,1)" in the values box, and I have defined
ChartDates as
"=OFFSET(AllDates,MATCH(StartDate,AllDates,1)-1,0,MATCH(EndDate,AllDates,1)-MATCH(StartDate,AllDates,1)+1,1)"
and I have defined ChartEuropeanEquity as "=OFFSET(ChartDates,0,1)".
AllDates is defined as "='Raw Data'!$A$5:INDEX('Raw
Data'!$A:$A,MATCH(9.99999E+307,Data!$A:$A))" and Start and End dates are
defined as "='Raw Data'!$Q$2" and "='Raw Data'!$Q$3" respectively. My titles
of the different columns are in row 1 and my data does not begin until row 8.
I could really use your expertise in figuring out what is wrong. Thanks.

 

[Jon Peltier]

In the define names dialog, select one of these names, and click in the
Refers To box. Is the expected range highlighted?

- Jon

 

[Guest]

Hi Jon, The "All Dates" is highlighted, however I noticed that because I
insert a row into row 8 every day, instead of reading "='Raw Data'!$A$8...."
it read ""='Raw Data'!$A$10...." is there any way to get it to stay on row 8
forever? The rest of the defined names (excluding Start and End Dates) did
not highlight any section of the worksheet. Hopefully this will give you
some idea what is going on!

 

[Jon Peltier]

Start your offset from higher:

=OFFSET(Sheet1!$A$8,0,0)

is the same as

=OFFSET(Sheet!$A$1,7,0)

- Jon

 

[Guest]

I'm not sure what you mean by that. Is that for my "AllDates" problem or the
problem with my ChartDates and ChartEuropean Equity? None of my defined
names have a formula like that. See my above post to see exactly what I have
entered. I have followed your Dynamic Charting By Dates article (TechTrax
Article) exactly if that helps.

Chris

 

[Jon Peltier]

How is AllDates defined? This thread has gotten a bit long to follow.

- Jon

 

[Guest]

AllDates refers to "='Raw Data'!$A$9:INDEX('Raw
Data'!$A:$A,MATCH(9.99999E+307,'Raw Data'!$A:$A))" How should we do this so
that it is easier to follow?