Decimal format issue in graph linked to another spreadsheet

[tlmf2222]

Good morning all,

I've seen this problem posted before on MrExcel.com, but none of the threads have a working answer yet.

The problem is that the values in my graph lose their decimal precision when the spreadsheet holding the source values in not actively open.

I have two spreadsheets ("A" and "B") and spreadsheet A has a chart whose source data in found in spreadsheet B. (The graph is just a line graph, with the actual plotted values displayed at the bottom of the graph in a chart). The source values in spreadsheet B look as follows:

-6% -8% -1% 6% 18% 18% 23% 18%

(point being, no decimal precision displayed. The true values do have decimal precision).

When both spreadsheets are open, the chart in spreadsheet A displays the values exactly as they appear in spreadsheet B. The problem is that if I simply close spreadsheet B and then view the values in the chart, they have all reverted to showing the full decimal precision that is stored in the cell from spreadsheet B.

Does anyone know how to fix this? I am using MS Excel 2007.

Thanks so much!!!

Mark

 

[Weaver]

What if you edit the format of the chart axis directly?

Not sure how it's done in 2007, but previously you just right clicked on the axis labels and a context menu popped up allowing you to format that particular axis.

 

[tlmf2222]

It's not really the axis of the graph that is the problem, it's the data table below the graph where the actual values are displayed in chart format. Nonetheless, I have right clicked on the data table and explored the formatting options, but there are none for decimal precision (most are options for the width of lines, color of lines, etc).

 

[RoryA]

I don't know about 2007, but there's no way around it in prior versions, other than not using the data table, or linking the data to a sheet in the chart workbook and building the chart off that.

 

[tlmf2222]

Thanks all. I think I will do what you said and just get the data table into the first spreadsheet so that I can control the decimal format there.

Have a great one!