CHARTS in Access

[peter1234]

I am trying to add charts to forms. For my examples I have chosen fields from tables in Northwind Sample Database. The number of categories in the fields selected could be greater than 20.

In all the examples I have tried to create ACCESS returns a chart for an ‘East, West, North’ table. The table is a very simple 3 by 4. Could the problem be that ACCESS cannot chart complex data sets and the chart I see uses a default?

[Delerna]

My memories of using complex charts in access (some 10 years ago) is that they are not as flexible as the charts you use in excel. I certainly remember that sort of limitation.

My solution then, was to link a worksheet in excel as a table in access.
Delete and insert the data in the linked worksheet as needed and then create the charts I needed in Excel. A bit clunky but it worked acceptably for my users.
An important factor for my solution, was that there was no variation in the number of rows and columns, in the linked worksheet, that might break the setup of my charts. Only the data in them changed.

I don't know if these limitations still exist with access charts or not but I have always avoided using them for all but the simplest of charts

[topher23]

In all the examples I have tried to create ACCESS returns a chart for an ‘East, West, North’ table. The table is a very simple 3 by 4. Could the problem be that ACCESS cannot chart complex data sets and the chart I see uses a default?

When Access first builds a chart, it always uses that East-West-North scheme, which really is annoying and misleading at first. However, once I do a bit of customizing, I much prefer using charts in Access than porting my data back and forth to Excel.

First, you'll want to check the source query and make sure it's set up properly for what you want. Access will use the field names from your query when it displays the data, it just doesn't do it when you first build it in design view. Look at it in Form view, save it, close it, and try opening it again in Design view. I've never been able to figure out the when's and why's on this, but sometimes, after saving, the chart will update in design view to the last "real" view and sometimes it just doesn't. You sort of have to play with it until it works.

[peter1234]

'CHARTS in Access'

Thank you for replies.

I have managed to produce charts in ACCESS and agree that they could be less flexible than those from Excel. The advantage in my view is having all the information under a single umbrella.

One of the things I have not been able to do is to display the labels in a bar chart. For instance, product names. All I get is numerical labels for the y axis.

Any comment will be gratefully received.

[topher23]

Edit the chart and open Chart Options. In Axes, check to make sure your Category (X) Axis is turned on. If it's off, it won't show the labels.