Plotting diagonal axis in Excel or rotating charts

[Guest]

Hello
I have some data that I would like to plot on an Excel chart that has a
diagonal axis. I wish to keep the chart as an object on an Excel worksheet
(as opposed to exporting the chart to another MS application).

Is it possible to do this by a) plotting diagonally or b) subsequently
rotating the chart in the worksheet.

Many thanks in advance

 

[Bernard Liengme]

One idea: make the chart in normal way. Hold SHIFT key, use Edit|Copy
Picture; now Paste
Now you have a picture of the chart and like all pictures you can rotate it.

If you really want to plot on the x=y line, are you ready for the math
lesson?

 

[Guest]

Dear Bernard
Many thanks for this advice. My maths isn't what it used to be but but I'm
always up for a challenge. Guidance on taking this further would be
appreciated.

Many thanks
David

 

[Bernard Liengme]

The equations for a rotational transformation by angle A (in anticlockwise
direction) are
x' = xCos(A) - ySin(A) and y' = ySin(A) + xCos(A)

You want to plot on a diagonal (A = 45º) I know SIN(45) = COS(45) but let's
keep thing general
In F1:H1 enter this:
Angle SinA CosA
in F2 enter 45
in G2 enter =SIN(RADIANS(F2)) and in H2 =COS(RADIANS(F2))
Select F1:H2; use Insert|Name to name the cells

Now we will plot a square on the x-axis,
In A1:B1 enter x and y as headers
The x values are 2, 4, 4, 2, 2
The y values are 0, 0, 2, 2, 0
Make an XY plot - you get a 'box' on the x-axis

In C1 and D1 use headers x' and y'
In C2 enter =A2*cosA-B2*sinA; in D2 enter =B2*sinA+A2*cosA
Copy these down to row 6

Select C26; use Copy tool; click chart; use Edit|Paste Special
and indicate New Series with x-values in first column

Now you have the same box rotated. The box lies on the x=y line (what you
called the diagonal)
Any use?
All this is a bit esoteric so if you want to leave the newsgroup and send me
private mail that's OK with me

 

[Guest]

Dear Bernard
Will digest this over the weekend and may get back to you on Monday with
questions

Yet again, many thanks
David

 

[Parvenu]

Hey Bernard! I'm writing from the future. I'm not sure what happened to David, but your math refresher worked a trick for me. Wherever you are almost 15 years from the original post, you have my thanks!