Chart data source selection changes when the file is edited from Excel Online

Question

I have an Excel workbook containing a sheet of various charts that are locked for editing. The data for the charts comes from other sheets in the workbook which are editable by other users (they can only input data into certain unlocked cells). Whenever other sheets in the file are edited, the data source selection for Horizontal (Category) Axis Labels changes and selects boxes that were previously unchecked. This happens with a number of charts, even when data has not been input into the data source range for a particular chart. Is there a way to preserve the axis selections as I am having to continually edit the file to revert the data selection back to what it should be. Thanks.

Answer 1

Hi Victoria,

Thanks for providing more detailed information about this issue, we can reproduce this issue now, we are willing to help you further but we are not able to directly escalate this issue as the issue is triggered by Excel online rather than the Excel desktop app. After consulting, we suggest you create a ticket via Office 365 Admin center -> Support -> New service request.

I've written a summary for this issue and sent to you via the PM(Private Message), you can click here to see the PM. This can help you be more efficient when you open a ticket.

Sorry again for the inconvenience caused by this issue.

Appreciating for your understanding.

Best Regards,

Hugo

Answer 2

Hi Hugo,

Thanks for reply. To create the chart, I went to the 'Insert' ribbon tab, selected a line chart, then right-clicked in the blank chart area and selected 'select data'. I then highlighted all of the table in Sheet 1, and in the Select Data Source dialogue box unchecked Groups A - D, leaving just the 'All groups' options selected to show all groups by year:

This created the desired chart, but when I edited cell E3 in the browser, the chart selection changed and Groups A-D were re-selected.

I'd be very grateful if you will do further tests to see if this is expected behaviour or a bug. I have 11 files with multiple charts that this issue is occurring in and it isn't feasible for me to continually amend the charts when the files are being updated regularly, and unfortunately can't rely on users to only open it in the app! ;)

Many thanks,

Victoria

Answer 3

Hi Victoria_CET,

I've finished my tests but still cannot encounter the issue as you have described. Would you mind telling me your specific steps to create a new chart based on sheet1 and which cell you have changed in period 3? I can do further tests to check whether this is expected behavior or a bug in Excel online.

Best Regards,

Hugo

Answer 4

Hi Victoria_CET,

Sorry for my late reply.

I'll do some tests on this problem and reply you with the test results.

Thanks for your understanding.

Best Regards,

Hugo

Answer 5

Thanks Hugo, much appreciated.