Much data to same chart format

[MintJulep]

I have lots of data sets from a data acquisition system that I would like to selectivly plot on a common chart format.

Each data set is an individual test run. I can easily get the data into either individual workbooks, or onto separate worksheets.

Once I create a chart format that I am happy with using the first data set, is there an easy way to "drop" that chart format onto other sets to quickly generate the same chart?

The best I can figure out is to save my first chart and its associated worksheet as a "template", and cut and paste data onto copies of that template. Seems like there should be a better way.

 

[Panars]

When I have to do what you are describing, I get the first chart the way I want it, then I create copies of the chart. I then go in and change the source data references to the new data. It helps to have the data on different worksheets but with very similar names, like "Source Data 1", Source Data 2", etc. Then changing the reference is as simple as changing one number. Of course, the data need to be in the same rows and columns on the different sheets.

 

[Clyde38]

Perhaps a custom chart type would help.

See

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

Cheers.....

 

[electricpete]

I did that once a long time ago. I know that I named all my data ranges. I set up a chart file whose series were named ranges in the other file
=[File1.xls]Sheet1!Datarangename

Then set up other excel files with data and same named ranges.

To change which file the chart links to, use Edit/Links, select an existing linked file and then "change source" to substitute a different file.


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[electricpete]

I had the datarangename labels on the top of each column. Everytime I added data to the bottom I would select the block of data and Insert/Name/Create/Top-row to update the range definition (otherwise the new data won't show up in the chart). There may be easier ways to do it with dynanmic ranges but that's the way I did it.

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