Comments on: Changes to Charting in Excel 2007

By: Hervé

Hervé — Thu, 05 Jan 2012 13:03:39 +0000

Hi Bob,

I am not an expert but I am controling the maximum scale of my charts by using the following sub :

Sub change_charts()

‘ X axis

ActiveSheet.ChartObjects(“your_chart_name”).Chart.Axes(xlCategory) _
.MinimumScale = ActiveSheet.Range(“B85″).Value
ActiveSheet.ChartObjects(“your_chart_name”).Chart.Axes(xlCategory) _
.MaximumScale = ActiveSheet.Range(“B86″).Value
ActiveSheet.ChartObjects(“your_chart_name”).Chart.Axes(xlCategory) _
.MajorUnit = ActiveSheet.Range(“B87″).Value
ActiveSheet.ChartObjects(“your_chart_name”).Chart.Axes(xlCategory) _
.MinorUnit = ActiveSheet.Range(“B88″).Value

‘ Y Axis – chart_head

ActiveSheet.ChartObjects(“your_chart_name”).Chart.Axes(xlValue) _
.MinimumScale = ActiveSheet.Range(“C85″).Value
ActiveSheet.ChartObjects(“your_chart_name”).Chart.Axes(xlValue) _
.MaximumScale = ActiveSheet.Range(“C86″).Value
ActiveSheet.ChartObjects(“your_chart_name”).Chart.Axes(xlValue) _
.MajorUnit = ActiveSheet.Range(“C88″).Value
ActiveSheet.ChartObjects(“your_chart_name”).Chart.Axes(xlValue) _
.MinorUnit = ActiveSheet.Range(“C88″).Value

End Sub

By: Bob Norris

Bob Norris — Thu, 05 Jan 2012 01:04:17 +0000

I have spreadsheet developed in Excel 2003 where I look at monthly comparison of data through graphs (there are 36 of them on the same sheet), and I like each graph to have the same vertical scale for visual comparison of range as well as pattern (or shape). When I import new source data , the vertical scale of the old graphs is always inappropriate to the new data. In Excel 2003 I manually updated the scale in one graph to suit the new data, I then selected (in sequence) the scale of the next graph, a quick CtrlY and the scale update was repeated. This process took a couple of minutes to update all 36 charts. It is very frustrating that the repeat last command function does not work on chart axes in Excel 2007.
The process is very laborious and tedious in changing the scale of every chart through the dailogue box.

Is there a way in which a cell value can be used to set the maximum scale of an axis?

By: Jon Peltier

Jon Peltier — Sun, 11 Dec 2011 15:25:35 +0000

Hi Liz -

As far as I can tell, the default to create a chart as an embedded chart in the active sheet cannot be changed. FWIW, I almost always (>99%) want charts embedded in the worksheet. In my experience, most people want embedded charts most of the time, and I think Microsoft must have measured this with their Customer Feedback Program.

This tendency not to make chart sheets is especially true since Excel 2007 broke the ability for chart sheets to resize to fit the Excel window.

Of course, if you select your data and click the F11 function key, Excel will insert a new chart sheet with the default chart type. So you could change the default to whatever chart type you generally use.

By: Liz Heath

Liz Heath — Sat, 10 Dec 2011 20:34:35 +0000

Having recently (and belatedly) moved to 2007, I’m increasingly frustrated at many of the changes which require additional steps. But I’m absolutely flummoxed at trying to figure out how to change the default location of charts when they are created. I do NOT want it on the worksheet. I cannot think of an instance in 15 years where I have wanted to put a chart on the worksheet. Is there anyway to change that default location so I don’t have to do the additional steps of moving it each time?

By: Jon Peltier

Jon Peltier — Tue, 15 Nov 2011 13:18:15 +0000

Hi Hervé -

This means not too complicated for you to build, but more complicated for Excel 2007′s ability to convert. I have no firm definition, but you’ll know it when you encounter it.

By: Hervé

Hervé — Tue, 15 Nov 2011 12:23:24 +0000

Hi Jon,

thanks for the answer. What do you mean by a “too complicated chart” ?