values automatically on top (outside) of column charts problem

[rcoda1]

Can someone tell me why this is not working like it is supposed to? I really don't want to start drinking so early in the morning!

Unfilled/unstroked rectangle in back to cover the bar height (smallest bar) and the bounding box of the text. unlocked guide.

I am following the directions to a tee. I want the numbers on top AND the column heights to be correct... they are changing and they are not supposed to be changing. Notice the smaller bars are now underwater.

This is really driving me nuts! Why can't Adobe bring the chart module into the 21st century?

top is copy/paste from Word for reference

Thanks in advance

[Monika Gause]

Can you please upload the file the Dropbox or the like?

[rcoda1]

WHY on God's Earth can't I upload an ADOBE Illustrator file to an Adobe support site?

https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1bR0-j313I8obAvtroT-JteFvWfgCQm5z?usp=sharing

[Monika Gause · Accepted solution]

Your invisible rectangle was wrong. It needs to be just the same size as the blue bar. Also: there are so many groups.

Was like this:

Should be like this:

I've written about it ion CreativePro https://creativepro.com/applying-custom-designs-to-illustrator-graphs/

[rcoda1]

Thank you very much Monika!

[Monika Gause]

You're welcome!