HOW TO: Create a Normal Chart from a PivotTable in Excel 2000

This step-by-step article describes how to create a normal chart (not a PivotChart) from PivotTable data. Ordinarily, if you use a PivotTable as the source data for your chart, Microsoft Excel always creates a PivotChart.

To create a normal chart (not a PivotChart) from PivotTable data, use either of the methods described in this article.

Method 1: Copy Part of the PivotTable Data to a Blank Chart

One way to create a standard chart from a PivotTable is to copy part of the PivotTable to a blank chart. To do this, follow these steps:

1. Select a blank cell outside the PivotTable.
2. On the Insert menu, click Chart.
   
   The Chart Wizard starts.
3. Use the Chart Wizard to define the type of chart that you want to create. When you click Finish, the Chart Wizard inserts a blank chart object on your worksheet.
   
   NOTE: The chart preview that is normally shown in step 3 of the Chart Wizard will be blank.
4. Select the data in the PivotTable that you want to chart.
   
   NOTE: Do not select the entire PivotTable. You may want to exclude the field headings and the Grand Total.
5. On the Edit menu, click Copy.
6. Click to select the chart object that you created in step 3.
7. On the Edit menu, click Paste.
   
   Excel pastes the PivotTable data into the chart.

NOTE: Because you pasted a specific range of cells into the chart, the chart will not display any new items that you add to your PivotTable.

Method 2: Copy the PivotTable Data to Another Part of Your Worksheet

You can create a normal chart from the data contained in your PivotTable if you first copy the PivotTable data to another part of your worksheet. To do this, follow these steps:

1. Select your PivotTable.
2. On the Edit menu, click Copy.
3. Select a blank cell on your worksheet.
4. On the Edit menu, click Paste Special.
5. Click Values, and then click OK.
6. Select the pasted cells, and then use the Chart Wizard to create your chart.

NOTE: Because you are not creating your chart directly from the PivotTable, the chart will not reflect changes to the PivotTable.