How to Quickly Change the Data Series Column in a WPS Spreadsheets Chart
Question details
The user needs to point an existing chart to a different data series column, such as switching from column D to column E, F, or another adjacent column, without recreating the chart.
- Product
- WPS Spreadsheets (Excel-compatible)
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- The user has an existing chart plotting column D against column B and wants to quickly change the plotted series to an adjacent column while keeping the chart formatting.
- Observed behavior
- The chart currently references the original source range, such as $D$87:$D$95, so it does not automatically move to the new target column unless the user rebuilds or edits the chart.
Open the workbook in WPS Spreadsheets and make sure the chart and its source data range are visible on the worksheet. If the source data is on a protected sheet, unprotect it before dragging or editing the series.
Drag the highlighted source range to the new column
Use this method when the new data column is adjacent to the current plotted column and you want the fastest visual update without opening dialog boxes.
Dragging the source range is the quickest way to change the series column because the series formula updates automatically and the existing chart formatting remains unchanged.
Click the chart once, then click the data series such as the bars, lines, or points so the source cells for that series show a colored outline in the worksheet.
Move the pointer to the border of the highlighted source range, hold down the mouse button, and drag the outline one column to the right or to the desired adjacent column.
Release the mouse button and check that the chart now plots the new column against the same X-axis column and that the series formula has changed to the new reference.
Edit the series values in the Select Data Source dialog
Use this method when you need precise control, when the new column is not adjacent, or when dragging the highlighted range does not work.
Use INDIRECT or OFFSET for repeated chart source changes
Use this method when you frequently switch the plotted column and want to update the chart from a single control cell instead of editing the chart each time.
Change a Chart Data Series Column in WPS Spreadsheets Without Rebuilding It
WPS Spreadsheets lets you quickly change the chart data series column by dragging the highlighted source range or by editing the series reference in Select Data. Both methods keep the existing chart and its formatting intact while maintaining Excel compatibility.
- 1. Open the workbook: Launch WPS Office, open the workbook that contains the chart, and click the worksheet tab where the chart and source data are located.
- 2. Select the chart series: Click the chart once, then click the data series whose source column you want to change so the source range is highlighted.
- 3. Move the series reference: Drag the highlighted source range to the new column, or right-click the chart and choose Select Data to edit the series values reference.
- 4. Confirm the chart result: Check the plotted values and update the chart title or axis labels if they still refer to the previous column.
- 5. Save as Excel-compatible file: Press Ctrl+S and save the workbook in .xlsx format so the updated chart works seamlessly in Microsoft Excel.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I drag the chart source range to a non-adjacent column in WPS Spreadsheets?
Dragging is easiest when the target column is adjacent to the current source column. For a non-adjacent column, right-click the chart, choose Select Data, select the series, click Edit, and enter the target series values reference manually.
Will changing the data series column delete my chart formatting?
No. When you drag the highlighted source range or edit the series reference in Select Data, WPS Spreadsheets updates only the data source reference, so chart type, colors, labels, and other formatting remain intact.
Does WPS Spreadsheets have the same Select Data Source dialog as Excel?
Yes. Select the chart and use Chart Tools or right-click the chart and choose Select Data. The dialog includes the same Legend Entries (Series) and Edit Series options for changing series values and axis labels.
How can I switch the chart column automatically instead of editing it every time?
Create a helper range that uses INDIRECT or OFFSET to read from different columns based on a control cell, then point the chart series to that helper range. Changing the control cell updates the helper range and refreshes the chart automatically.
