Dynamic Data Based on Chart Changes

Written by Allen Wyatt (last updated December 3, 2022)
This tip applies to Excel 97, 2000, 2002, and 2003


Ben knows how to create a chart based on data in a worksheet. If he later changes the data on which the chart is based, Excel will update the chart to reflect the change. He wonders, however, if there is a way, perhaps with an add-on, that he can drag points in his chart and have those changes reflect back into the data.

This is a feature that is already built into Excel; no extra add-on is necessary. If you create a chart, click on a single data point, and then hover the mouse over the data point, you'll see that it changes to a double-headed arrow. Once this happens, drag the data point as you desire. When you release the mouse button, the data upon which the chart is based is modified to reflect the new position of the data point.

ExcelTips is your source for cost-effective Microsoft Excel training. This tip (9174) applies to Microsoft Excel 97, 2000, 2002, and 2003.

Author Bio

Allen Wyatt

With more than 50 non-fiction books and numerous magazine articles to his credit, Allen Wyatt is an internationally recognized author. He is president of Sharon Parq Associates, a computer and publishing services company. ...

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