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Learning Advanced Charting 20
A Series formula has the following syntax:
=SERIES(series_name, category_labels, values, order, sizes)
The arguments that you can use in the Series formula include
n
n
n
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series_name: (Optional) A reference to the cell that contains the series name used in the legend.
If the chart has only one series, the name argument is used as the title. This argument can
also consist of text in quotation marks. If omitted, Excel creates a default series name (for example,
Series 1).
category_labels: (Optional) A reference to the range that contains the labels for the category
axis. If omitted, Excel uses consecutive integers beginning with 1. For XY charts, this argument
specifies the X values. A noncontiguous range reference is also valid. The ranges’ addresses are
separated by commas and enclosed in parentheses. The argument could also consist of an array of
comma-separated values (or text in quotation marks) enclosed in curly brackets.
values: (Required) A reference to the range that contains the values for the series. For XY charts,
this argument specifies the Y values. A noncontiguous range reference is also valid. The ranges
addresses are separated by a comma and enclosed in parentheses. The argument could also consist
of an array of comma-separated values enclosed in curly brackets.
order: (Required) An integer that specifies the plotting order of the series. This argument is relevant
only if the chart has more than one series. Using a reference to a cell is not allowed.
n sizes: (Only for bubble charts) A reference to the range that contains the values for the size of
the bubbles in a bubble chart. A noncontiguous range reference is also valid. The ranges addresses
are separated by commas and enclosed in parentheses. The argument can also consist of an array
of values enclosed in curly brackets.
Range references in a Series formula are always absolute, and they always include the sheet name. For
example:
=SERIES(Sheet1!$B$1,,Sheet1!$B$2:$B$7,1)
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You can substitute range names for the range references. If you do so, Excel changes the reference
in the Series formula to include the workbook. For example:
=SERIES(Sheet1!$B$1,,budget.xlsx!MyData,1)
Displaying data labels in a chart
Sometimes, you may want your chart to display the actual numerical values for each data point. You specify
data labels by choosing Chart Tools ➪ Layout ➪ Labels ➪ Data Labels. This drop-down control contains
several data label options.
Figure 20.21 shows a chart with data labels.
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