iWork '09: The Missing Manual

Working with a Chart’s Table Data

A chart’s source table provides the raw material for the key points shown in a chart. When you change the data in the table, Numbers immediately updates the chart to reflect the change. Add a new row or column to a table, and the chart grows a new data series or data set. Delete a cell’s data, and the chart’s data point vanishes, too. Remove the entire table, and the chart goes bye-bye along with it.

But changing the source table’s data isn’t the only way to change what’s shown in the chart. Numbers lets you limit the chart’s display to a specific selection of cells from the source table. You can also modify the order of data series in the chart and even incorporate new series from other tables. This section explores the different techniques for managing how your table data makes its way into charts. If you’re already happy with the collection of data shown in your spiffy new graph, feel free to skip ahead to Sharing an X value to start working with the chart’s labels and formatting.

Tip

When you hide data in the source table (Hiding and Unhiding Rows and Columns), Numbers typically hides it in the chart, too. But you can choose to chart hidden rows or columns in the Chart Inspector’s Chart pane: Turn on the Show Hidden Data checkbox.

Choosing the Charted Cell Range

As you saw on Adding a Chart to Your Spreadsheet, you can choose the charted cells when you first create a table, but you can also change this selection at any time. Whittling down the selection ...