How Do I Take Data From One Sheet And Create a Chart In a Second Sheet?

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Level 1

6 points

How Do I Take Data From One Sheet And Create a Chart In a Second Sheet?

I am a very basic Numbers user and create almost exclusively spreadsheets -- I was always way more comfortable with the "One" rather than the "Two" or "Three" :-)

So, I have a spreadsheet where I track financial stuff month by month. The sheet is something like 150 rows by 150 columns and grows by a column per month.

I would like to create a chart of a few key variables and figure it would be better / cleaner / ... to take the data of those three lines from my main sheet and build the charts in a second sheet.

Where do I start?

Any suggestions would be much appreciated.

Thanks

Mac mini, macOS 12.7

Posted on Jul 21, 2025 10:16 AM

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Answer 1

Badunit

Level 7

30,336 points

Jul 21, 2025 12:36 PM in response to Jayessemmm

From what you have given us so far I'm not sure it would be cleaner or better to make charts from a second sheet versus your main sheet. It adds a level of complexity that might not be necessary unless you are trying to filter the data in some way, like to show only a range of months versus all the data, or to combine rows and make a chart of the montly totals versus the individual rows.

You mentioned 150 rows but you want to chart only 3 of the rows?

What version of Numbers? It makes a difference to the answer. Lots of things got way simpler to do in 14.4. Your signature shows an old version of Mac OS, unable to run Numbers 14.4.

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Answer 2

Jayessemmm Author

Level 1

6 points

Jul 22, 2025 6:33 AM in response to Badunit

Hey Badunit,

Thanks for being on the lookout.

System stuff first:

Old indeed. I'm running macOS 12.7.6 which tells me I am "up to date". I assume that is a function of my old Intel i5 CPU. As a result I have Numbers 13.1

Now to your questions about my spreadsheet ...

I dreamed up that "a second sheet would be easier" stuff :-) if that isn't the case I'm good. All I want is to chart a few rows from my main sheet -- top line, bottom line, maybe a few ratios.

As one might guess I have no idea about charting. Should I just try these charts in my main sheet to the right of the latest column? Will sizing the chart screw up the dimensions of my rows / columns? If I make the charts and then next month have new data will the charts update if I add a new column between the data and the charts? ....

And if my questions are too basic can you recommend a good "Numbers For Beginners" resource?

Not at all a big deal; any suggestions / advice would be much appreciated.

Thanks

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