In reply to Timmd:
> Edit to Doug: We've been told that replicating data isn't what we should be doing (in the current context), which is why I'd avoided doing that, but that is a good idea for learning about exploring how to alter things.
1) if learning/exploring always play with a copy of the data
2) when you are ok with the method here's that i taught...
create the table you want on a new sheet - so create a sheet called pie or chart or something
link the data in there via A1=Sheet1!A1 and filling down for each column As you will know this isn't replicating the data it's effectively filtering it (which is another approach!)
now plot your charts/graphs from that sheet and on that sheet, as it's arranged correctly, if you change the data in Sheet1 your graphs get updated automatically
all the selecting the correct columns works and is fine, but this encourages you to create a summary table first (which you should eyeball for senseibilty) and then chart that so its all clean and together....
and if you really want to learn some good stuff about excel watch this long entertaining video called "You Suck at Excel" from Joel Spolksy - an author of excel and UI writer !
Post edited at 19:24