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We wrote this FAQ to answer the many questions we receive on this topic from our clients and other inquiring minds in the many electronic communities we frequent.
This FAQ is taken from Excel 97 Annoyances (by Woody Leonhard, Lee Hudspeth, and T.J. Lee; ISBN 1-56592-309-X; O'Reilly and Associates). For additional information on this title, visit our site's page http://www.primeconsulting.com/annoyances.
Click here to order Excel 97 Annoyances from Amazon.
A very nice feature is the Press and hold to view sample button. This shows you, for example, just how really bad an idea it is to try to use the Radar chart type for data that does not lend itself to that type of charting. Always use this option to take a peek before deciding on the chart type you want.
Step 2 of the Wizard lets you tweak the data range or the series information.
In the third panel of the new Chart Wizard you can really exercise some control over the final look of the chart. You can tweak the titles (chart, X, Y, and Z axes), determine how to handle the displayed axes (including the new Time Scale axis type), set gridlines, control legend display and placement, set data labels, and take advantage of a new feature - Data Table - that displays the underlying numeric data that the chart is based on, as part of the chart graphic.
The last step is to determine if the chart is to be embedded in the current sheet as an object or created on a separate chart sheet within the current workbook. Embedded charts are now activated with a single click instead of the double-click that was previously required.
Please keep in mind that the single most important step of charting takes place before you even start the Chart Wizard. You make or break it when you select the numbers to be charted. Select numbers that make sense and that create a visual display that gets your point across.
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