Replicating charts between workbooks

Hi ...

Here's what I've done: I've built a spreadsheet workbook that contains numerous charts, displaying various aspects of a specific dataset. Once I developed all the charts I thought I needed ... I replicated the workbook and copy/pasted in a different dataset. I created separate workbooks for each dataset ... so now I have several workbooks (spreadsheet files) ... all identical in regards to charts, only difference is the data.

What I'd like to do: I've encounter the need to add a new chart. Is there a way I can build the new chart in just one spreadsheet ... and then replicate/copy that chart (design, template, or whatever the proper termininolgy is) into all my other spreadsheet files? I understand I would need to go and reassign the source data ... but I was hoping to avoid having to build the new chart in every one of my other workbooks.

I looked through the historical posts, but didn't see or recognize any that related to this issue. Your help would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks!

Hi there,

Unless you're a power-user (and I get the impression that you're not), you're not going to be able to avoid actually opening each of your workbooks manually.

You can certainly create a copy of a chart & have it stored in another (open) workbook, but the problem is that unless you take additional steps, the copy of the chart will be linked to the data in the ORIGINAL workbook.

So, you need to do the following:

1. Open the SLAVE workbook into which you want to insert a copy of the new chart.
2. Open the MASTER workbook containing your new chart & its data.
3. Right-click on the tab of the worksheet containing the DATA for the new chart & select "Move or Copy".
4. In the "To book" dropdown list, select the name of SLAVE workbook. IMPORTANT - Do NOT tick the "Create a copy" box.
5. Click on the "OK" button.

You should now find yourself in the SLAVE workbook , so return to the MASTER workbook using Window > masterworkbookname.

Now repeat steps 3 - 5 for the sheet containing the new CHART.

At this stage you will have MOVED both the new chart & its associated data worksheet to the SLAVE workbook.

6. Save and close the SLAVE workbook. DO NOT SAVE THE MASTER WORKBOOK.

When the SLAVE workbook has closed you should find yourself back in the MASTER workbook.

7. Close the MASTER workbook, but DO NOT SAVE CHANGES. This means that when you re-open the MASTER workbook the new chart & its associated data worksheet will still be there & available for moving to another SLAVE workbook.

Hope this helps - please let me know how you get on.

Regards,

Greg M