When creating a chart using the chart wizard, the chart displayed in design view is one with "North","South", "West" data. (This will make sense if you have seen it!)

I have changed the rowsource to query a table and the actual report when previewed is correct but in design view still shows the default chart.

I can edit the chart using the chart editor but it is still showing the default. I need it to show the correct data so that I can colour the sections in properly.

So, the question is, how do I get the "real" chart to show in design view and not just preview mode?

I think Access just short North, etc. in the design view of the chart, not in the report view.

I think you just have to save the chart, close it, and then reopen it. I know that mine started out showing the bogus data but now show my data.

I tried all the usual tricks of closing the report, then closing access itself. I think I even tried closing down my PC but it still gave the defaul chart in the design view.

I am as frustrated as you are. I don't make a lot of these so all I can tell you is that at some point, my own stuff showed up when I went to design view. I made a new report and have spent an hour with it comparing it to those that show my datasheet and cannot find any property that changes the datasheet from the sample to your own. I was able to clear the sample but that didn't help since I couldn't get a different one to replace it.

Please, if you figure this out post back. I'll try again later and try to pay attention to see if I can determine what makes the change.

In the design view Double Click, or right click and select "Open Chart Object" your chart and you'll get a form in the datasheet view. You can change the column and row headings in that form so that your design with look more like your final chart.

Looking at the properties of a chart in the design view, it appears to be an OLE object, which I know absolutely nothing about.

I never worried about this because my charts come out ok working with the chart properties without changing that initial design view.

Access has many aspects that I don't understand. I just keep on truckin, finding what works, not always worrying about why. My clients are interested in the why's and only pay for results.

Years ago a manager told a group meeting that "There's a difference between 'getting the job done' and 'doing the right job.' We're in the business of getting the job done."

Oops, I just fell off my soap box.

I have managed to find a sort of answer at Microsoft.com

It basically says that the image will be static, however, you can see an updated version by pasting into a form, opening MS Chart, saving the chart(!), then copying and pasting from the form back to the report!

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;154454&Product=acc

Thanks. Interesting.