out of memory error while naming chart

The Problem (Q-score 4, ranked #249th of 303 in the Excel VBA archive)

The scenario as originally posted in 2014

I am getting an “out of memory” error while trying to name a chart. I need to be able to reference this chart later in another sub program. Any help appreciated.

Sub CreateChart()
' Creates chart for the Quality sheet

Dim sBusiness As String
Dim charttype As String
Dim shChart As Worksheet
Dim num_iss As Integer
Dim i As Integer
Dim endrng As Integer
Dim currentChart As Chart

Set shChart = ThisWorkbook.Sheets("Chart Tool")
sBusiness = ThisWorkbook.Worksheets("Chart Tool").Range("select_bu").value
charttype = ThisWorkbook.Worksheets("Chart Tool").Range("select_chart").value
num_iss = ThisWorkbook.Sheets("Chart Tool").Range("num_issues").value
endrng = 31 + num_iss


' Chart Placement
   shChart.Shapes.AddChart(xlColumnClustered, _
    Left:=8, Top:=110, _
    Width:=428, Height:=240).Select
    If charttype = "Cost" Then
        ActiveChart.SetSourceData Source:=shChart.Range(shChart.Cells(2, 32),                 shChart.Cells(3, endrng)) ' souce range
    End If
If charttype = "DPM" Then
    ActiveChart.SetSourceData Source:=shChart.Range(shChart.Cells(7, 32), shChart.Cells(8, endrng)) ' souce range
    End If

   ActiveChart.SetElement msoElementCategoryAxisShow
   ActiveChart.SetElement msoElementChartTitleAboveChart ' sets chart title above
   ActiveChart.SetElement msoElementLegendNone ' removes legend
   ActiveChart.SetElement msoElementPrimaryCategoryAxisTitleBelowAxis ' horizontal axis
   ActiveChart.SetElement msoElementPrimaryValueAxisTitleRotated ' Vertical axis
   ActiveChart.ChartTitle.Caption = "Top Issues for " & sBusiness & " by " & charttype ' adds title name
   ActiveChart.Axes(xlCategory, xlPrimary).AxisTitle.Caption = "Issue" ' adds x-axis title name
   ActiveChart.Axes(xlValue, xlPrimary).AxisTitle.Caption = charttype ' adds y-axis title name
   ActiveChart.Name = "ParetoChart"

End Sub

Why community consensus is tight on this one

Across 303 Excel VBA entries in the archive, the accepted answer here holds niche answer (below median) status — meaning voters are unusually aligned on the right fix.

The Verified Solution — niche answer (below median) (+8)

Verbal answer — walkthrough without a code block

Note: the verified answer is a prose walkthrough. If you need a runnable sample, check Excel VBA entries ranked in the top 10 of the same archive.

The chart’s .Name property is Read-Only for embedded chart objects. You should be able to assign a name to the chart’s parent .ChartObject.

Since the ChartObject is parent of .Chart, try:

ActiveChart.Parent.Name = "ParetoChart"

When to Use It — classic (2013–2016)

Ranked #249th in its category — specialized fit

This pattern sits in the 98% tail relative to the top answer. Reach for it when your scenario closely matches the question title; otherwise browse the Excel VBA archive for a higher-consensus alternative.

What changed between 2014 and 2026

The answer is 12 years old. The Excel VBA object model has been stable across Office 2013, 2016, 2019, 2021, 365, and 2024/2026 LTSC, so the pattern still compiles. Changes that might affect you: 64-bit API declarations (use PtrSafe), blocked macros in downloaded files (Mark-of-the-Web), and the shift toward Office Scripts for web-first workflows.