Microsoft KB Archive/117660

= Microsoft Knowledge Base =

XL: Pasted Chart Data May Be Incorrect
Last reviewed: June 3, 1997

Article ID: Q117660

5.00 5.00c 7.00 7.00a 97 | 5.00 5.00a

WINDOWS                 | MACINTOSH

The information in this article applies to:


 * Microsoft Excel for Windows, versions 5.0, 5.0c
 * Microsoft Excel for the Macintosh, versions 5.0, 5.0a
 * Microsoft Excel for Windows 95, versions 7.0, 7.0a
 * Microsoft Excel 97 for Windows

SUMMARY
In Microsoft Excel, you can paste or drag new data into an existing chart. However, if you click the paste command while the chart is in edit mode, and the chart does not follow the defaults for series in rows or columns, the results may be unpredictable. Instead of adding new data points to the existing series, a new series may be created.

MORE INFORMATION
In order to ensure backwards compatibility, the Paste command operates just as it does in earlier versions of Microsoft Excel. This behavior is to facilitate consistent results when you are running macros that expect the Paste command to work as it did in earlier versions.

WORKAROUND
The Paste Special command allows you to choose either a new series or new points, and whether Y values are in rows or columns. For best results, use Paste Special to paste new data into a chart.

To automatically choose the Paste Special command if the default series choice does not fit the existing chart, do the following:


 * 1) Activate the chart.
 * 2) Click Paste Special on the Edit menu.

Microsoft Excel 97
For more information about adding data to a chart, click the Index tab in Microsoft Excel Help, type the following text

charts, updating and then double-click the selected text to go to the "Add data to a chart" topic.

Microsoft Excel 7.0
For more information about adding data to a chart, click the Index tab in Microsoft Excel Help, type the following text

data series in Excel charts, adding and then double-click the selected text to go to the "Add data to a chart" topic.

Microsoft Excel 5.0
For more information about adding data to a chart, choose the Search button in Help and type:

charts, adding to