In this Excel dashboard example, you can select "Chart" or "Chart Data" from a drop down list. Magically, with no macros in the workbook, the selected item appears on the worksheet.
With this technique, you can store your data and chart on a hidden sheet in the workbook, where no one can mess with the numbers. (Not that anyone would!)
How It Works
The drop down list is created with data validation. To show the selected item, named ranges are added to the workbook, and a linked picture shows one of those ranges.
To download the sample file, you can visit the Excel Sample Files page on the Contextures website:
- CH0002 – Show or Hide Excel Chart (click on the Excel 2010 version of the zipped file)
There is also an Excel 2003 sample file, if you're using an older version of Excel.
Watch the Video
To see the steps for creating this dashboard feature, please watch this short Excel video tutorial.
Or watch on YouTube: Show Excel Chart or Data on Dashboard with No Macros
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Very interesting. I found I could also use Insert > Object > Bitmap Image to create the linkable picture.
Interesting concept.
As an exercise I tried this using excel 2007 but could not make it work properly.
I have 3 graphs on the same worksheet and want to use your dropdown option to select any of the 3 graphs. However the Define names range wont let me put in the 3 graph names defined earlier.
Can you explain why this is the case? many thanks