Microsoft KB Archive/161474

= XL97: Error Editing Chart Linked to Closed Workbook =

Article ID: 161474

Article Last Modified on 10/22/2000

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APPLIES TO


 * Microsoft Excel 97 Standard Edition

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This article was previously published under Q161474





SYMPTOMS
When you attempt to edit a series on a chart that is linked to a closed workbook, the following error message may appear:

Reference is not valid. Reference must be to an open worksheet.



CAUSE
This problem occurs when the following conditions are true:


 * On the Chart menu, you click Source Data.

-or-
 * You proceed to step 2 of the Chart Wizard.

-and-
 * You click the Series tab and attempt to select an option.



WORKAROUND
To work around this behavior, follow these steps to open the source workbook:


 * 1) On the Edit menu, click Links.
 * 2) Select the appropriate source file, and then click Open Source.

You can update the data series using either the Source Data command or the Chart Wizard.



STATUS
This behavior is by design of Microsoft Excel 97 for Windows.



MORE INFORMATION
When you close the workbook and use the Chart Wizard, some functionality, such as changing the chart type, is not available. Note that you cannot use the Source Data command on the Chart menu. If you do so, the error message described in this article repeatedly appears.

