X Axis Linear Representation Problem

[Guest]

I have a project involving a hiking trail where I am trying to capture
altitude on Y axis versus mile marker location on X axis. I can enter the
data in adjoining columns and use the chart wizard but each mile marker value
gets positioned along the X axis in uniform increments rather than an actual
linear scale representation. In other words, mile markers 3.3 and the next
mile marker (3.8) are the same distance apart on the X axis in the graphic
representation as is marker 3.8 and the next one (12.5). This distorts the
graphic representation of the actual linear distance between the data points.
Hopefully I have explained this sufficiently. Any suggestions on how to get
a more accurate representation? Thanks!!

 

[Mike Middleton]

Chris -

Use an XY (Scatter) chart type.

It's the only Excel chart type that positions points according to numerical
values on both axes.

- Mike
http://www.mikemiddleton.com

 

[Guest]

Mike,

Upon further review the scatter chart still had all the mile mark points
equally spaced along the X axis. Example: the spacing interval between
consequetive mile points 3.0 and 3.3 was just the same as the spacing
interval between consequetive mile point 8.0 and 12.5. Clearly that
compresses the scale between consequetive long mile distances and expands the
scale between the fractional ones. I tried different combinations of other
charts and could not seem to find a sample that accurately related these
varied mile data points on that X axis. Maybe I missed something.

 

[David Biddulph]

Are some of your x axis data cells text, rather than numbers? Are you sure
that you've actually got data cell references for the X axis when you look
at Source Data for the series in the graph?

 

[Mike Middleton]

Chris -

For an XY (Scatter) chart type, if one or more cells in the X range is
interpreted as text, then Excel uses equally-spaced labels for the
horizontal axis. Also, choose Chart | Source Data | Series to verify the
ranges.

- Mike

 

[Jon Peltier]

It's not an XY chart. If an XY chart has real numbers in the X range, they
are proportionally spaced. If an XY chart has any non-numerical values in
the range, the axis reverts to using counting numbers (1, 2, 3) rather than
the values in the range.

Go to the Chart menu > Chart Type, and choose an XY type.

- Jon

 

[Guest]

Gentlemen! There must have been a hidden text value in the data as once I
ensured both columns of numbers were numbers and went to the XY graph choice,
the proportional intervals showed up! Excellent!! Many thanks!

Chris