Chart won't update in Excel (2007)

Question

I have an Excel document (2007) with a chart (Clustered Column) that gets its Data Series from cells containing calculated values

The calculated values never change directly, but only as a result of other cells in the sheet changing

When I change other cells in the sheet, the Data Series cells are recalculated, and show new values - but the Chart based on this Data Series refuses to update automatically

I can get the Chart to update by saving/closing, or toggling one of the settings (such as reversing x/y axis and then putting it back), or by re-selecting the Data Series

Every solution I have found online doesn't work

• Yes I have Calculation set to automatic
• Ctrl+Alt+F9 updates everything fine, EXCEPT the chart
• I have recreated the chart several times, and on different computers

• I have tried VBA scripts like:

  Application.Calculate
Application.CalculateFull
Application.CalculateFullRebuild
ActiveWorkbook.RefreshAll
DoEvents

None of these update or refresh the chart

I do notice that if I type over my Data Series, actual numbers instead of calculations, it will update the chart - it's as if Excel doesn't want to recognize changes in the calculations

Has anyone experienced this before or know what I might do to fix the problem? Thank you

Answer 1

This is the only thing I've found to consistently update a chart. It cuts the root cause of the problem (I assume): the series data is getting cached in the chart. By forcing the chart to re-evaluate the series, we are clearing the cache.

' Force the charts to update
Set sht = ActiveSheet
For Each co In sht.ChartObjects
    co.Activate
    For Each sc In ActiveChart.SeriesCollection
        sc.Select
        temp = sc.Formula
        sc.Formula = "=SERIES(,,1,1)"
        sc.Formula = temp
    Next sc
Next co

Answer 2

I have run into this same issue - not sure why, and when it happens the only way I have ever gotten the chart to force update is to change something in the chart definition itself, which can easily be done via VBA as in:

Dim C As ChartObject: Set C = Me.ChartObjects("chart name")
C.Chart.ChartTitle.Text = C.Chart.ChartTitle.Text + "1"

There may be a better answer that gets to the bottom of the problem - but I thought this might help. Working on the sheet I would do a quick Ctrl-X, Ctrl-V on a piece of the chart (or the whole thing) to force the chart to update.