Charting Data Series vs. Data Points?

[Guest]

If I am trying to chart a single row of data appearing in 600 columns, is
this data in 600 data points, which is chartable, or is it 600 series, which
is not chartable? I have divided the data between three worksheets due to
worksheet limitations of 256 columns, but I have not been able to create a
single chart line for data extending over the three worksheets.

 

[James Silverton]

Tommy wrote on Tue, 29 Nov 2005 07:31:06 -0800:

TZ> If I am trying to chart a single row of data appearing in
TZ> 600 columns, is this data in 600 data points, which is
TZ> chartable, or is it 600 series, which is not chartable? I
TZ> have divided the data between three worksheets due to
TZ> worksheet limitations of 256 columns, but I have not been
TZ> able to create a single chart line for data extending over
TZ> the three worksheets.

Have you tried the Charting Wizard? One question is whether the
data is in rows or columns. Again, as I mentioned on another
thread, you might want to ask yourself what is served by
plotting so many points. A graph is usually a depiction rather
than a *precise* source of information.

James Silverton.

 

[Guest]

I don't know of any way to plot a noncontiguous range of cells. Obviously,
this is necessarily the case here if you insist on keeping these data in
columns instead of rows (single column). It is also not possible to resort to
an array in lieu of a range because in such case the chart series formula
must list each element in the array and will run out of capacity. Therefore,
the only solution IMHO is to instead plot a contiguous helper range (on a
hidden sheet if you like) that transposes these column data into rows in a
single column. Formulas in the helper range would point to the noncontiguous
ranges. Alternatively, populate the helper range by macro.

Regards,
Greg

 

[Guest]

That's very helpful information. So I can simply put these 600 data points
into one continuous list of 600 rows and chart from there with no problem. I
wish I had thought of that.

 

[Guest]

Thanks. I will simply put the 600 data points into one column instead of in
two noncontiguous rows on two worksheets. An investment book I have usefully
charts monthly investment data from 1959 through 2005, which is 46 years and
therefore 552 monthly data points. Going to 46 annual data points would hide
intra-year changes. I suppose the other option is to cover the same period
with three charts of about 15 years each.