Cannot create graphs in Excel - 'there's an error in the formula you entered'

Question

i have recently noticed that when  try and create a line or scatter graph, as i select 'add series' i initially see a plot with a marker at 1,1 x,y and then as i select the date an error message pops up stating 'there's an error in the formula you entered'.

Below is the sequence of events. After selecting scatter or line graph, you get an empty gragh window but when you the select data series, the inside of the window shows gridlines and a data point at 1, 1 

if i then try and add the data from the 3 series i eventually see an error message as below

this doesnt make any sense . There is no formula involved. 

When I tested a dummy table with X data and Y series data in a new excel worksheet I saw the same issue. I have Office 2019 installed. 

I also have my works laptop with Office 2016 installed and found exactly the same behaviour !!

I need to create graphs for my work but because of this issue I will not be able to complete my project . This is driving me nuts !!

Help !!

Answer 1

Hi there!

Did you try to select all the data and insert a scatter or line graph? In that case, you can right click mouse and select "Select Data". From there you can manage the graph and switch row and columns. Please see the below screenshots:

Answer 2

Hi surfing69

I am Dave, an Independent Advisor, I will help you with this . . .

Click and drag as shown below to select all data in that Table, then on the Insert Tab, click Chart and select your preferred chart type . . .

.

Answer 3

Thank you 

however I have over 15 yrs experience of Excel and have NEVER come across this type of behaviour. 

I am already aware that selecting the whole table would generate a graph as per your response. This is not the point.

I possibly stupidly decided to use a very basic table. The table I wasn't to use to generate a graph is more complex and would not lend itself to this technique. 

Below is an example of the table. The cells coloured blue are X series. The cells coloured yellow are the 3 Y series.

Pls let me know if you can generate a line/scatter graph or any other graph for the matter using this table WITHOUT copying the cells and pasting into a simple basic table as per my dummy table.