XL2000: Data Labels Do Not Retain Formatting

After you format the data labels on an Excel graph, the data labels may not be retained when you open the file again.

This problem may occur if the source data range for the graph contains several hidden columns or rows. This condition creates hidden series.

To work around this problem, create a table on which the graph will be based. Link each cell of the table to the source cell in the worksheet, whether or not the source cell is hidden. This makes it possible for you to graph data that is in rows or columns that are not adjacent to each other. Also, by linking to the cell data, you can have automatic updates of the data when it is changed in the source cell.

For example: The source cells are B12, B13, D2, D4, F13, and F15. The table is located in the range H12:J13 and contains the following formulas linking the table cells to the sources cells:

	H	I	J
12	=B12	=D2	=F13
13	=B13	=D4	=F15

You would then graph the range H12:J13.

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