#N/A chart data labels may appear in wrong location in Excel for Mac (200080)


The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft Excel 2000
  • Microsoft Excel 97 for Windows
  • Microsoft Excel 2004 for Mac
  • Microsoft Excel X for Mac
  • Microsoft Excel 2001 for Mac
  • Microsoft Excel 98 Macintosh Edition
This article was previously published under Q200080

SYMPTOMS

In some column charts and bar charts, the data label for an #N/A value may be located improperly. If the #N/A label applies to the first data point, it may appear in the upper-left corner of the chart area. If it applies to a data point other than the first one, the #N/A label may appear on top of the data label to the left.

If you select the #N/A label, drawing handles appear in the upper-left corner of the chart area.

WORKAROUND

To work around this problem, follow these steps:
  1. Click the series of data labels that includes the #N/A label.
  2. Click the #N/A data label to select that label individually.

    Microsoft Excel for Mac displays the data label "text box" in the upper-left corner.
  3. Drag the label slightly to the right or left, depending on your chart.

    The #N/A label appears twice, one of which is in the upper-left corner of the chart.
  4. In the upper-left corner of the chart, select the #N/A label that has the drawing handles, and then drag the label to the location that you want.

    The label may now appear twice.
  5. Select the plot area and move it slightly in any direction.

    The misplaced #N/A label disappears, leaving only the one that you dragged manually to the correct location.

STATUS

Microsoft has confirmed that this is a problem in the Microsoft products that are listed at the beginning of this article.

MORE INFORMATION

A similar problem may occur with 3-D line charts that contain labels made from data that includes #N/A. In this case, the #N/A label may appear in the upper-left corner of the chart area, but not in the plot area. You cannot select and move this label.

To work around this problem, change the chart type to Bar or Column, follow the "Workaround" section earlier in this article, and then change the chart type back to 3-D Line.

Excel for Mac Help defines #N/A as follows:

The #N/A error value occurs when a value is not available to a function or formula. If certain cells on your worksheet will contain data that is not yet available, enter #N/A in those cells. Formulas that refer to those cells will then return #N/A instead of attempting to calculate a value.

Modification Type:MajorLast Reviewed:2/10/2005
Keywords:kbchart kbnofix kbprb KB200080
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