Thread: Updating Charts (Excel 2007)

QUESTION: How do you get a chart to continually update its data range to only include cells that have information in them?

I post multiple charts on my blog and web site daily. They involve data that is recorded every day and therefore the range must be extended with the new data.

Currently, I go in to the chart, choose "Select Data," and then edit the range to include the new information. I know this cannot be the "smart" way to do this.

Thanks for the help.

You can use a Named range, many examples on forum, to define the series range of data and labels.
Or you can based your chart on a Table and it will auto expand as you add new data to the table.

Thank you for the super-prompt reply Andy.

Which method do you think is easier for a "brute-force-and-ignorance" basic excel user?

Do you recommend any source material for learning how to do either?

Thanks again.

for "brute-force-and-ignorance" use a table.

For more refined control over the charts content use named ranges.
This is a good a starting place as any for information on named ranges and dynamic charts
http://peltiertech.com/Excel/Charts/Dynamics.html

Thanks again, will do!