Microsoft KB Archive/121392

= Microsoft Knowledge Base =

Excel Err Msg: "Series Formula Too Long" When Creating Chart
Last reviewed: September 13, 1996

Article ID: Q121392

The information in this article applies to:


 * Microsoft Excel for Windows, versions 3.0, 4.0, 4.0a, 5.0, 5.0c
 * Microsoft Excel for the Macintosh, versions 3.0, 4.0, 5.0
 * Microsoft Excel for Windows 95, versions 7.0, 7.0a

SUMMARY
In Microsoft Excel, when you attempt to create a chart, you may receive the following error message:

Series formula is too long You receive this message if you try to create a series that contains more than the allowed number of references.

MORE INFORMATION
In Microsoft Excel, the maximum number of references you can use in a chart series is as follows:

Microsoft Excel version         Maximum number of references

5.0, 7.0                               35   3.0, 4.0                                17 The number of references contained in a series is determined by adding the number of references in the name_ref, categories, and values arguments in the SERIES formula:

SERIES(name_ref,categories,values,plot_order)

WORKAROUND
To create a chart that contains more than the maximum number of refrences outlined above, do either of the following:

 Manipulate the worksheet so that information to be charted is more contiguous (that is, move the data closer together so that you have fewer references). -or- Copy the data to a new worksheet and chart it from the new worksheet.