Creating a Line graph

[gvm]

I have data that I want to put in a simple line graph: The data is
A B
23 200
87 500

I mark the 6 cells, select insert chart / line and get a chart with both A
and B labels on the x axis. I go to "select data source" and try "switch
row/column" and get A and B as series names in the legend. How do I get the
label A and the values 23 and 87 on the x axis, and label B and values 200
and 500 on the y axis please?
(Congratulations Microsoft for making something that was so easy and
powerful in Excel 2003 an absolutely primitive disgrace in Excel 2007!) TIA
.... Greg

 

[Ed Ferrero]

Hi Greg,

Select your data including one column to the left of your data. i.e. if the
data is in cells B1:C3, select A1:C3
Then Insert - Line Chart
Then Switch Row/Column

Ed Ferrero
www.edferrero.com

 

[trip_to_tokyo]

"How do I get the label A and the values 23 and 87 on the x axis, and label B
and values 200 and 500 on the y axis please?"

You can't do that.

As far as I can see the behaviour that EXCEL is performing is correct.

You cannot have the label A and the values 23 and 87 on the x axis because
the x axis is a category axis (which expects labels, like A, not values, like
23 and 87).

You cannot mix labels and values on the same axis.

Similary you ask for, "label B and values 200 and 500 on the y axis". You
can't do that because, once again, you are mixing labels and values on the
same axis.

The Y axis is a value axis and expects values (like 200 and 500) but not
labels (like B).

To assist you further hit the F 1 key to display the Help Facility.

In the Search box type:-

line chart

A topic (near the top) called:-

Present your data in a scatter or line chart

- is shown.

Display this and pay particular attention to the Line Chart parts.

It explains how the axes are used and what data they are expecting.

Please hit Yes if my comments have helped.

Thanks.

 

[trip_to_tokyo]

Just thinking about what you have said further.

Are you sure you want a line graph?

I think you want a column chart.

This would give you:-

1. The letter A appearing on the X axis and above that it would show blocks
(filled columns) representing 23 and 87.

2. The letter B on the X axis and above that it would show blocks (filled
columns) representing 200 and 500.

Try a column chart (Clustered Column) and I think that you will arrive at
the solution you seek.

Please hit Yes if my comments have helped.

Thanks.

 

[gvm]

Thanks Ed, your suggestion was a big help ... totally un-intuitive but it did
let me get closer to where I want to be. I still have problems labelling the
x axis "A" and getting the values (23 and 87) to show properly. The window
that allows me to switch row/column also lets me edit horizontal axis label
but does not let me specify the x axis values. Or am I missing something
else? TIA ... Greg

 

[gvm]

thank you ... Greg

Just thinking about what you have said further.

Are you sure you want a line graph?

I think you want a column chart.

This would give you:-

1. The letter A appearing on the X axis and above that it would show blocks
(filled columns) representing 23 and 87.

2. The letter B on the X axis and above that it would show blocks (filled
columns) representing 200 and 500.

Try a column chart (Clustered Column) and I think that you will arrive at
the solution you seek.

Please hit Yes if my comments have helped.

Thanks.

 

[Ed Ferrero]

Hi Greg,

Let's try the failsafe way. This should help in understanding what is going
on behind the scenes.

Select an empty cell in your sheet.
Insert - Line Chart you should see an empty chart
Click the 'Select Data' button on the Chart Tools - Design ribbon
In the Chart data range box, select the cells containing 200 and 500 (i.e.
just the y values)
The 'Legend Entries (Series)' box shows 'Series1' and
the 'Horizontal (Category) Axis Labels' box shows 1, 2
Now click the Edit button under the 'Horizontal (Category) Axis Labels' box
In the selection box for 'Axis Label Range' select the cells that contain
the x values (23 and 87)
Click OK
Click OK

Now add axis titles.

Ed Ferrero
www.edferrero.com