Problem with creating graphs in Excel on Mac Os X version 10.7.5 - Some chart types cannot be combined with other chart types. Select a different chart type

Question

Hi, I'm a frustrated Master student needing to make a very simple bar graph in Excel, but the program won't let me and keeps telling me: Some chart types cannot be combined with other chart types. Select a different chart type. I looked on other forums and people had similar problems but their solutions do not apply to or fix my problem, so I'm really hoping somebody out there can help. I have worked in Excel on pc's before and know how to make a chart. Something is definitely wrong with the settings in Excel or something else, I don't know but hope a friendly soul can help me!

Thanks

Answer 1

(a) I am not usually satisfied with Excel's guesses at appropriate axis titles and chart title, so I usually start by selecting only the data. That is, instead of selecting E1:K3 in your example, I select F2:K3. 

(b) With the data selected, I choose Chart (ribbon) > Insert Chart > Bar (dropdown) > 2-D Bar Clustered Bar, which creates the initial chart.

(c) Since there is only one data series, I select the legend and press the Delete key.

(d) To use the text of column E in your example for titles, with the chart selected, I choose Chart Layout (ribbon) > Chart Title > Title Above Chart. With the chart title selected, I click in the formula bar, type an equal sign =, click cell E1, and press the Return key.

(e) I repeat the steps in (d) for each of the Axis Titles using the text in cells E2 and E3.

These steps work fine for me using U.S. English language & formats in Mac OS X 10.7.5 with Excel 14.4.4.

Answer 2

Thanks for replying! I tried only selecting the data before as well, and it didn't work. However, the day after I did the Microsoft update and tried creating the bar graph again, it worked, so the problem is solved. I am very grateful for the responses in here, and that people like you take time to answer questions.

Thanks!