Data label legend keys may appear in unexpected positions in Excel (215854)


The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft Office Excel 2003
  • Microsoft Excel 2002
  • Microsoft Excel 2000
  • Microsoft Excel 97 for Windows
This article was previously published under Q215854

SYMPTOMS

Extra data label legend keys may appear in unexpected or unwanted positions on a chart or on a PivotChart in Microsoft Excel.

CAUSE

This problem may occur if all the following conditions are true:
  • You created the chart from data with some blank cells in the first column.
  • The chart type is a two-dimensional column chart.
  • Values or labels are shown with a legend key next to the label.
  • The chart is set to not plot empty cells.

    To set this option, click Options on the Tools menu, and then click the Chart tab.

WORKAROUND

To work around this problem, delete the misplaced data label markers. To do this, follow these steps:
  1. Single-click the individual data label two times to select it. The label should have a box around it to indicate that it is individually selected, rather than as a series.
  2. Press DELETE.
  3. Repeat steps 1 and 2 until all misplaced data markers have been deleted.

STATUS

Microsoft has confirmed that this is a problem in the Microsoft products that are listed in the "Applies to" section.

MORE INFORMATION

Chart Type Differences

When the conditions listed in the "Cause" section are true, the following chart types will display this problem in different ways.

Stacked Column Chart

Some extra key/labels for blank cells may appear at the top and/or bottom of the stacked columns, even though empty cells are set to not be plotted.

Clustered Column Type (Not Stacked)

The extra key(s) appear stacked on top of each other in the upper-left portion of the chart, outside of the plot area.

PivotChart - Cluster Column Chart

The extra key(s) appear stacked on top of each other, on the left of the Drop Page Fields Here area.

General Notes

If you move markers manually, they may appear in different positions when you switch the chart between a stacked column chart and a two-dimensional unstacked column chart.

Although some blank data in the second and later columns will add to the number of key markers shown, if the blank data cells are initially only in the second and later columns, the problem does not seem to occur. Putting data in the blank cells in the first column may resolve the problem after you create the chart.

3-D charts do not have the problem that is described in this article.
Modification Type:MajorLast Reviewed:6/6/2004
Keywords:kbbug kbpending KB215854
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