Answer

An Excel graph fails to update when the chart source does not reflect changes in the worksheet. A graph uses a defined data range, and the link between the range and the chart stops responding when the reference is static, broken, or blocked by workbook settings.

How to fix an Excel graph that is not updating

1. The data range is static

A static range stops a graph from capturing new rows or columns. A static range uses a fixed reference such as A1:A10.

How to fix it (Windows and Mac):

1. Select the chart.

2. Choose Chart Design → Select Data.

3. Update the Chart Data Range to include the full expected area.

2. The chart uses filtered or hidden data

Excel blocks hidden or filtered values from appearing in a chart when the default chart setting excludes them.

How to fix it (Windows and Mac):

1. Click the chart.

2. Go to Chart Design → Select Data.

3. Open Hidden and Empty Cells.

4. Tick Show data in hidden rows and columns.

3. Workbook calculation is set to manual

A manual calculation mode stops Excel from recalculating formulas that feed the chart.

How to fix it (Windows and Mac):

1. Go to Formulas.

2. Open Calculation Options.

3. Choose Automatic.

4. Table conversion was not applied

A chart created from normal ranges fails to expand automatically. An Excel Table expands the reference correctly.

How to fix it (Windows and Mac):

1. Select the dataset.

2. Press Ctrl + T on Windows or Command + T on Mac.

3. Confirm My table has headers.

4. Link the chart to the table.

5. The graph is linked to external workbooks

External references stop refreshing when the source workbook is closed.

How to fix it (Windows and Mac):

1. Open the source workbook.

2. Refresh connections through Data → Refresh All.

6. The graph uses incompatible pivot data

A PivotChart updates only when the PivotTable refreshes.

How to fix it (Windows and Mac):

1. Select the PivotTable.

2. Use Data → Refresh.

7. Chart cache is stuck

Excel keeps a cached version of a chart. A corrupted cache stops updates.

How to fix it (Windows and Mac):

1. Copy the chart.

2. Paste it as a new chart.

3. Reassign the source data.

8. The workbook has disabled events

Macros that turn off screen updating or events block chart refreshes.

How to fix it (Windows and Mac):

1. Open the VBA Editor using Alt + F11.

2. Run:

   Application.ScreenUpdating = True

   Application.EnableEvents = True

9. Merged cells are disrupting the range

Merged cells break dynamic references and prevent charts from expanding.

How to fix it (Windows and Mac):

1. Highlight the dataset.

2. Go to Home → Merge & Center → Unmerge Cells.

3. Re-create the chart reference.

10. The graph uses non-numeric data in a numeric field

A text value stored inside a numeric range stops the axis from recalculating.

How to fix it (Windows and Mac):

1. Select the suspicious range.

2. Convert numbers stored as text using Data → Text to Columns → Finish.

How to confirm the graph is updating correctly

1. Change one value in the dataset.

2. Press Enter.

3. Verify the chart movement.

4. Save the workbook to lock in the behavior.

Why Excel graphs fail to update consistently across devices

An Excel installation on Windows handles recalculation differently from Mac when external data and add-ins run. Windows loads chart engine components with broader COM support, and Mac uses sandboxed processes with isolated memory handling, which causes inconsistent refreshes in complex workbooks.

When to use advanced solutions

A dynamic named range solves frequent update failures in long-term datasets.

Dynamic range using COUNTA

Convert the dataset into a formula-based range when tables do not fit the workflow.

Name: SalesData

Refers to:

=Sheet1!$A$1:INDEX(Sheet1!$A:$A,COUNTA(Sheet1!$A:$A))

Final diagnostic checklist

1. Verify the data range is correct.

2. Confirm hidden data settings.

3. Switch calculation to automatic.

4. Convert to an Excel Table.

5. Refresh PivotTables.

6. Open external links.

7. Rebuild cached charts.

8. Enable Excel events.

9. Remove merged cells.

10. Confirm numeric formatting.

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