Adjusting a Second Data Series in a Chart

[Rich9016]

Hi guys, this is my first post so bear with me

Here's my problem:
I have a stock portfolio in which I'd like to develop into a chart.
I've downloaded my info using the web query function and then took th
data I wanted and made it into a chart. On my x-axis I have weeks an
on my y-axis I have prices. Simple enough.

Sometimes I like to develop charts with more than one data series.
When I adjust my source data to account for my new stock, it doesn'
start the line at its respective week, it starts it at whatever th
chart was started at. For example, I originally started the chart wit
stock A that I purchased on 1/1. I bought stock B on 2/1. Stock B'
line on the chart starts at the 1/1 marker, not the 2/1 marker.

I was doing some research and I don't know if this has anything to d
with it, but my source data is not in a straight line, does thi
matter? For example, I have a price in A1 and then other irrelevan
info in A2. So I just hold control and choose A1, A3, etc.

If it can't be done that's fine, I'll live with it. I just thought I'
ask. It'd be a nice chart to present.

I read the rules and tried to make this as detailed as possible. I
anyone could help me out I would greatly appreciate it. Thank you i
advance. :

 

[Frank Kabel]

Hi
are you sing a line chart or a XY scatter chart. If you don't use the
latter one try changing your chart type to it (and combine the dots to
create a similar outcome as with a line chart)

 

[Rich9016]

Thanks for your reply Frank. I changed my chart to XY scatter but I'
still having some problems. My x-axis data is not showing up properl
now. Could it be because I have text with some of the data?

For example, I'll choose the following to be my x-axis values:

1/1/04 - Bought
1/2/04
1/3/04
1/4/04
1/5/04 - Sold

y values are as follows:

series 1 - 10, 20, 30, 40, 50
series 2 - 30, 40, 50 (series 2 begins on 1/3/04)

It actually works when I don't use text. Is there any way I can kee
the text

 

[Frank Kabel]

Hi
yes the reason is your text as in this case the value is no longer
recognized as date value.

 

[Debra Dalgleish]

It would be best to store the date in one cell, and the text in a
different cell, or as a comment to the cell (Insert>Comment).

However, you can add text as part of the cell formatting:

In the cell that contains 1/1/04 - Bought, delete all except the date
Select the cell, and choose Format>Cells
Select the number tab
Select the Custom category
In the text box, change the entry to include the text, e.g.:
m/d/yyyy"-Bought"
Click OK

Repeat these steps for the 1/5/04 entry, changing the text to:
m/d/yyyy"-Sold"

 

[Rich9016]

Thanks for your help guys. I've tried what you said Debra, but th
graph then cam out incorrectly. I've decided to just use the date
alone and then put in text boxes separately. I was just hoping for a
easier way. Thanks again :

 

[Jon Peltier]

Rich -

In a column parallel to the data, put in selected labels ("Bought" and
"Sold"), and leave blanks where you don't want a label. Use one of the
free Excel addins to apply these labels to the data points:

Rob Bovey's Chart Labeler, http://appspro.com
John Walkenbach's Chart Tools, http://j-walk.com

- Jon
-------
Jon Peltier, Microsoft Excel MVP
Peltier Technical Services
Tutorials and Custom Solutions
http://PeltierTech.com/
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