Written by Allen Wyatt (last updated September 21, 2020)
This tip applies to Excel 97, 2000, 2002, and 2003
Excel is very handy at creating charts from data in a worksheet. What if you want to create a chart directly from VBA, without using any data in a worksheet? You can do this by "fooling" Excel into thinking it is working with information from a worksheet, and then providing your own. The following macro illustrates this concept:
Sub MakeChart() 'Add a new chart Charts.Add 'Set the dummy data range for the chart ActiveChart.SetSourceData Sheets("Sheet1").Range("a1:d4"), _ PlotBy:=xlColumns 'Manually set the values for the data series ActiveChart.SeriesCollection(1).Formula = _ "=SERIES(""First Data"",{""a"",""b"",""c"",""d""},{2,3,4,5},1)" ActiveChart.SeriesCollection(2).Formula = _ "=SERIES(""Second Data"",{""a"",""b"",""c"",""d""},{6,7,8,9},2)" ActiveChart.SeriesCollection(3).Formula = _ "=SERIES(""Third Data"",{""a"",""b"",""c"",""d""},{10,11,12,13},3)" End Sub
The comments in this example explain what is going on for each step. When setting the dummy data range, the SetSourceData method assumes the range is on a worksheet named Sheet1. If you don't have such a sheet in your workbook, you need to alter the command accordingly.
Later, when manually setting the values for the data series, the SERIES command is used to specify the label for the series (First Data, Second Data, and Third Data), the array of category labels (a, b, c, and d in all series), the array of values for the series, and a number specifying which series number this represents.
Note:
ExcelTips is your source for cost-effective Microsoft Excel training. This tip (2622) applies to Microsoft Excel 97, 2000, 2002, and 2003. You can find a version of this tip for the ribbon interface of Excel (Excel 2007 and later) here: Creating Charts in VBA.
Solve Real Business Problems Master business modeling and analysis techniques with Excel and transform data into bottom-line results. This hands-on, scenario-focused guide shows you how to use the latest Excel tools to integrate data from multiple tables. Check out Microsoft Excel 2013 Data Analysis and Business Modeling today!
Paste Special is a great tool that allows you to modify the values in a range of cells in your worksheets. You may want, ...
Discover MoreUnprotecting a single worksheet is relatively easy. Unprotecting a whole lot of worksheets is harder. Here's how you can ...
Discover MoreMacros are often used to process the data in a worksheet. If that data includes dates that need to be processed, you'll ...
Discover MoreFREE SERVICE: Get tips like this every week in ExcelTips, a free productivity newsletter. Enter your address and click "Subscribe."
There are currently no comments for this tip. (Be the first to leave your comment—just use the simple form above!)
Got a version of Excel that uses the menu interface (Excel 97, Excel 2000, Excel 2002, or Excel 2003)? This site is for you! If you use a later version of Excel, visit our ExcelTips site focusing on the ribbon interface.
FREE SERVICE: Get tips like this every week in ExcelTips, a free productivity newsletter. Enter your address and click "Subscribe."
Copyright © 2023 Sharon Parq Associates, Inc.
Comments