Scaling X axis

[TC2]

I want to plot 1 column and have the x axis markings at the bottom either be
a range I put in, or values taken from another column. How do I do that?

Thanks,
Tom

 

[Jon Peltier]

The easiest way to do this is to put the X and Y values into two columns
side by side. They don't even need to be touching, because you can
select discontiguous ranges holding down the Ctrl key. It will make it
easier to have the X values somewhere to the left.

If the data aren't arranged nicely, or if the chart is already made, you
can still select ranges for the X values. In step two of the chart
wizard, or by choosing Source Data from the Chart menu, click on the
Series tab, select a series in the list on the left, and in the boxes on
the right, select the ranges that hold your data (click in the box, then
select the range with the mouse). You can even type in the values,
separated by commas. You don't even need to put in quotes around text;
Excel fills those in for you.

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

 

[TC2]

I think I'm missing something here. Selecting two columns is what I would
normally do if I want two series lines. I only want one line but I want to
specify the values for the legend/hash marks at the bottom.

Thanks,
Tom

 

[Jon Peltier]

Tom -

That's right. If Excel recognizes the first column as categories, it'll
use the column for the labels across the bottom of the chart. You can
help Excel notice the difference if you put a label above the Y data but
leave a blank above the X:

Label
X1 Y1
X2 Y2
X3 Y3

Select the entire range, including the label and blank cell, and create
your chart. As a bonus, Excel will use the label as the series name in
the Legend.

Also, if you make an XY Scatter chart instead of a line chart, Excel
uses that first column as X values. Many times people want the Scatter
chart, not the line chart. Both can be formatted the same (line/no line,
markers/no markers), but they treat the X axis differently:

X Axis: Category or Value?
http://peltiertech.com/Excel/ChartsHowTo/CatVsValueAxis.html
Scatter Chart or Line Chart?
http://pubs.logicalexpressions.com/Pub0009/LPMArticle.asp?ID=190

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