Chart & Visualization Issues

Fix Excel Select Data Does Nothing When Editing a Chart

Adam Davis Oct 7, 2026 872 views

Question details

The 'Select Data' option fails to open the data source window in Microsoft Excel, and charts may lose data or display reference errors.

How to Fix Excel Select Data Doing Nothing When Editing a Chart

Product: Microsoft Excel
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: A user attempts to edit the data source of an existing chart using the chart menu or Chart Design tab.
Observed behavior: Clicking 'Select Data' does nothing. In some cases, charts lose their underlying data, displaying #REF! errors in the legend or plotting area instead of the actual data.

Before you start

Ensure your workbook is saved and create a backup copy before deleting any charts or modifying complex data ranges.

Solution 1Recommended

Recreate the Chart Using a Contiguous Data Range

Recreating the chart from a clearly defined, single block of contiguous data often bypasses the corruption preventing the Select Data window from opening.

Excel can sometimes struggle to process complex, non-contiguous cell ranges for charts, causing the 'Select Data' dialog window to become unresponsive. Rebuilding the chart with a solid block of data usually clears this glitch.

Delete the affected chart

Select the malfunctioning chart in your worksheet and press the Delete key to remove it.

Select a contiguous data range

Click and drag your mouse to highlight a single, continuous block of cells that contains the data and headers you want to chart.

Insert a new chart

Navigate to the 'Insert' tab on the Excel ribbon, choose your preferred chart type from the Charts group, and generate the new chart.

Test the Select Data menu

Right-click the newly created chart and click 'Select Data' to verify that the Data Source window now opens correctly.

Recreate the Chart Using a Contiguous Data Range

Verification Step: Save, close, and reopen the workbook after creating the new chart to ensure the data formatting is retained and the window continues to function.

Solution 2

Verify and Repair Broken Cell References

If your charts are displaying #REF! errors alongside the unresponsive menu, repairing broken workbook links and named ranges can restore functionality.

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1. Download and Install: Download WPS Office for free from the official website and install it on your device.
2. Open Your Workbook: Launch WPS Spreadsheet and open your existing Excel file containing the charts.
3. Edit Chart Data Easily: Right-click your chart and choose 'Select Data' to seamlessly modify your data sources without freezing or crashing.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Why does my Excel chart suddenly show a #REF! error in the legend?

This happens when the source cells, columns, or named ranges the chart relies on are deleted, moved, or corrupted. Verifying your source cells and recreating the chart usually fixes the issue.

Can I use non-contiguous cell ranges for an Excel chart?

Yes, you can select non-contiguous ranges by holding the Ctrl key while selecting different cells. However, highly complex non-contiguous selections can sometimes cause the Select Data window to glitch or fail to load.

Does the chart type determine if the Select Data window opens?

No, the specific chart type (like Pie, Bar, or Line) does not prevent the window from opening. The issue is typically caused by how the chart was originally created, corrupted data links, or an unstable Excel session.

Excel & Data Problems