Using Radar-type plot in Excel; question!

[Michael]

Hi everyone,

Say I am plotting a 20 points graph G1(w, x, y, z). That means each
point has 4 coordinates.

If I am plotting a smooth curve G2(x,y), it is easy to show the
smoothness of the curve in a 2-D graph.

In a 4-D space, how "Radar" plot would show this smoothness. Try this
by yourself in Excel, select Radar type, and see for yourself.

1)Is "Radar" type the right one for such 4-D plot? How Radar-type
graph should be read?

2)Is there a better alternative?

Thanks,
Mike

 

[Jon Peltier]

Mike -

I can't see how a radar type chart would be any better at 4D charting
than any other type. A radar chart is at best a 2D representation. It's
a line chart wrapped around a point in the middle.

When I ever need to make charts of this nature, I try to group by levels
of two variables, to reduce my chart to a set of XY series on the chart.
I vary the formatting (shapes and colors) of the XY series to
distinguish them. Having nine curves on the chart gives me a 3 x 3
matrix, high-medium-low in two variables and the X-Y does the rest. You
have to try many combinations, though, until you find one that shows the
data clearly.

- Jon