Chart copying messes up number formats...

Anthos

unread,

Sep 1, 2004, 2:44:33 AM9/1/04

to

I have a workbook with charts that I update each month. The data used
are included in this workbook. When I finish updating the charts I
select the sheets with the charts and use the copy sheet functions to
create a copy of the charts to a new file. When I save the file
everything looks ok with the number formats and everything. When I
reopen the file I get another number format. If I open the original
chart file, everything sorts out OK (!!!) and when I close it
everything messes up again! I tried breaking the links (office 2003
links functions) when I still have open the original chart file, but
still when I save/close/open the file, the number formats mess up.

Any hints people?

Jon Peltier

unread,

Sep 1, 2004, 12:36:49 PM9/1/04

to

Anthos -

When you've made a chart, and it looks fine, double click on the set of
numbers that cause problems. On the Number tab of the format dialog that
pops up, uncheck the Link to Source box. This locks the number format.

When you are linked to source, and the source file is not open, Excel
can't read the formats, and it usually just applies a general type of
format.

- Jon
-------
Jon Peltier, Microsoft Excel MVP
Peltier Technical Services
Tutorials and Custom Solutions
http://PeltierTech.com/
_______

Anthos

unread,

Sep 2, 2004, 2:20:10 AM9/2/04

to

Thanks Jon,

Indeed the "Linked to the source" is the solution to the problem. I
had tried that before I had posted but when I unchecked the "Linked to
the source" on the pasted worksheet, then saved and reopened, the
formats were messed up. Right after I posted this message, I did try
unchecking the "Linked to the source" from the original worksheet. I
then copied the charts to the target and everything worked fine. My
only worry that in this way the charts wouldn't update in case the
data changed, were not fortunately true, so I guess no more problems.

From what you're saying though, it should have worked by unlinking the
pasted chart from the original one, right?

Thanks again for the reply...

Jon Peltier <DOjonN...@SPAMpeltiertechME.com> wrote in message news:<#5UulHEk...@TK2MSFTNGP11.phx.gbl>...

Jon Peltier

unread,

Sep 2, 2004, 8:37:24 AM9/2/04

to

Anthos -

As soon as you paste the new chart, before the source workbook is
closed, unlink the formats. Smooth sailing from there.

Anthos

unread,

Sep 3, 2004, 12:54:43 AM9/3/04

to

Yes, that works even better without messing with the original charts.
I guess I didn't do the procedure in the same order and lost the plot
somewhere along. Thanks again Jon for the help.

One more thing if you're not tired of me! Is there a way to unlink
multiple values from the source, or does one have to manually uncheck
each chart seperately?

Thanks again Jon.

Jon Peltier <DOjonN...@SPAMpeltiertechME.com> wrote in message news:<e$B6bmOkE...@TK2MSFTNGP15.phx.gbl>...

Anthos

unread,

Sep 3, 2004, 1:03:08 AM9/3/04

to

I think I found an older answer you gave back in 2002!!!

http://groups.google.com/groups?q=chart+unlink+source&hl=en&lr=&ie=UTF-8&selm=ej1G1%23rpBHA.1964%40tkmsftngp07&rnum=5

I'll try that Jon.

Thanks

Jon Peltier <DOjonN...@SPAMpeltiertechME.com> wrote in message news:<e$B6bmOkE...@TK2MSFTNGP15.phx.gbl>...

Jon Peltier

unread,

Sep 4, 2004, 11:22:59 PM9/4/04

to

I liked that post so much, I turned it into a web page:

http://peltiertech.com/Excel/ChartsHowTo/DelinkChartData.html