Maximum number of categories?

Hi - I'm trying to chart 60 call center agents on 3
measurements. I'm using a combination column and line
chart on 2 axes. The bars show # of calls incoming and #
of calls answered; the line shows average talk time. I've
set up macros to run this. I'm finding that it works okay
if I have 58 categories (agents), but I get various errors
at 59 or 60.

Is there a maximum number of categories?

I'm using Windows ME and Excel 97 but will move this to an
XP/Excel 2000 machine when it's done. Thanks for your help!

Hi Jane -

The maximum is way beyond 60. What is going wrong with the chart?

Are you selecting each cell individually in the Source Data dialog? The
length of the series formula could be the problem. The reference of
each cell you click on is put into the formula, complete with its
worksheet name. A long sheet name will reduce the number of points even
further.

The solution is to readjust the data, or use formulas to put values into
adjoining cells. This way you select the range all at once, and the
formula stays nice and short.

- Jon
-------
Jon Peltier, Microsoft Excel MVP
http://www.geocities.com/jonpeltier/Excel/index.html
_______

Jane wrote:
Hi - I'm trying to chart 60 call center agents on 3
measurements. I'm using a combination column and line
chart on 2 axes. The bars show # of calls incoming and #
of calls answered; the line shows average talk time. I've
set up macros to run this. I'm finding that it works okay
if I have 58 categories (agents), but I get various errors
at 59 or 60.

Is there a maximum number of categories?

I'm using Windows ME and Excel 97 but will move this to an
XP/Excel 2000 machine when it's done. Thanks for your help!

Jon, thanks for your response. My source data for the
category axis was A2:A61. The error I usually got was
about "SeriesCollection 3," which was my Avg Call Length
column. ANYWAY - I reworked the thing and used the
instructions on your website, "Create a Dynamic Chart." It
works now, plus I have no more zero data, which was just
what I needed. I'm a novice with Excel and don't
understand the things I typed into the "refers to" box,
which is scary, but the data is correct. Thanks for such
good instructions!

Jane
-----Original Message-----
Hi Jane -

The maximum is way beyond 60. What is going wrong with
the chart?

Are you selecting each cell individually in the Source
Data dialog? The
length of the series formula could be the problem. The
reference of
each cell you click on is put into the formula, complete
with its
worksheet name. A long sheet name will reduce the number
of points even
further.

The solution is to readjust the data, or use formulas to
put values into
adjoining cells. This way you select the range all at
once, and the
formula stays nice and short.

- Jon
-------
Jon Peltier, Microsoft Excel MVP
http://www.geocities.com/jonpeltier/Excel/index.html
_______

Jane wrote:
Hi - I'm trying to chart 60 call center agents on 3
measurements. I'm using a combination column and line
chart on 2 axes. The bars show # of calls incoming and
#
of calls answered; the line shows average talk time.
I've
set up macros to run this. I'm finding that it works
okay
if I have 58 categories (agents), but I get various
errors
at 59 or 60.

Is there a maximum number of categories?

I'm using Windows ME and Excel 97 but will move this to
an
XP/Excel 2000 machine when it's done. Thanks for your
help!

.

Oops, I need to correct this. The instructions and example
I followed for creating a dynamic chart were provided by
your website, but were noted as being contributed by Debra
Dalgleish. Many thanks to you both.

Jane

-----Original Message-----
Jon, thanks for your response. My source data for the
category axis was A2:A61. The error I usually got was
about "SeriesCollection 3," which was my Avg Call Length
column. ANYWAY - I reworked the thing and used the
instructions on your website, "Create a Dynamic Chart."
It
works now, plus I have no more zero data, which was just
what I needed. I'm a novice with Excel and don't
understand the things I typed into the "refers to" box,
which is scary, but the data is correct. Thanks for such
good instructions!

Jane
-----Original Message-----
Hi Jane -

The maximum is way beyond 60. What is going wrong with
the chart?

Are you selecting each cell individually in the Source
Data dialog? The
length of the series formula could be the problem. The
reference of
each cell you click on is put into the formula, complete
with its
worksheet name. A long sheet name will reduce the
number
of points even
further.

The solution is to readjust the data, or use formulas to
put values into
adjoining cells. This way you select the range all at
once, and the
formula stays nice and short.

- Jon
-------
Jon Peltier, Microsoft Excel MVP
http://www.geocities.com/jonpeltier/Excel/index.html
_______

Jane wrote:
Hi - I'm trying to chart 60 call center agents on 3
measurements. I'm using a combination column and line
chart on 2 axes. The bars show # of calls incoming and
#
of calls answered; the line shows average talk time.
I've
set up macros to run this. I'm finding that it works
okay
if I have 58 categories (agents), but I get various
errors
at 59 or 60.

Is there a maximum number of categories?

I'm using Windows ME and Excel 97 but will move this
to
an
XP/Excel 2000 machine when it's done. Thanks for your
help!

.

.

Jane -

We both say "You're welcome." Anyway, we must have each stolen, I mean,
learned the technique from someone else.

- Jon
-------
Jon Peltier, Microsoft Excel MVP
http://www.geocities.com/jonpeltier/Excel/index.html
_______

Jane wrote:

Oops, I need to correct this. The instructions and example
I followed for creating a dynamic chart were provided by
your website, but were noted as being contributed by Debra
Dalgleish. Many thanks to you both.

Jane


-----Original Message-----
Jon, thanks for your response. My source data for the
category axis was A2:A61. The error I usually got was
about "SeriesCollection 3," which was my Avg Call Length
column. ANYWAY - I reworked the thing and used the
instructions on your website, "Create a Dynamic Chart."

It

works now, plus I have no more zero data, which was just
what I needed. I'm a novice with Excel and don't
understand the things I typed into the "refers to" box,
which is scary, but the data is correct. Thanks for such
good instructions!

Jane

-----Original Message-----
Hi Jane -

The maximum is way beyond 60. What is going wrong with

the chart?

Are you selecting each cell individually in the Source

Data dialog? The

length of the series formula could be the problem. The

reference of

each cell you click on is put into the formula, complete

with its

worksheet name. A long sheet name will reduce the

number

of points even

further.

The solution is to readjust the data, or use formulas to

put values into

adjoining cells. This way you select the range all at

once, and the

formula stays nice and short.

- Jon
-------
Jon Peltier, Microsoft Excel MVP
http://www.geocities.com/jonpeltier/Excel/index.html
_______

Jane wrote:

Hi - I'm trying to chart 60 call center agents on 3
measurements. I'm using a combination column and line
chart on 2 axes. The bars show # of calls incoming and

#

of calls answered; the line shows average talk time.

I've

set up macros to run this. I'm finding that it works

okay

if I have 58 categories (agents), but I get various

errors

at 59 or 60.

Is there a maximum number of categories?

I'm using Windows ME and Excel 97 but will move this

to

an

XP/Excel 2000 machine when it's done. Thanks for your

help!

.


.