Creating a simple line chart

[maccamb]

Hi,

I use the Student edition of Office 2008 for Mac. I am trying to draw a simple line graph (chart). I am able to create the graph with the values (y-axis) points. However I would like to designate a column of numbers as the category (x-axis) values. I have looked everywhere but am unable to find how to do so. I remember being able to do so with Office 2004 Student edition as well as the PC editions but have forgotten how. I would appreciate any help!

A desperate user!

 

[Bob Greenblatt]

Hi,

I use the Student edition of Office 2008 for Mac. I am trying to draw a simple
line graph (chart). I am able to create the graph with the values (y-axis)
points. However I would like to designate a column of numbers as the category
(x-axis) values. I have looked everywhere but am unable to find how to do so.
I remember being able to do so with Office 2004 Student edition as well as the
PC editions but have forgotten how. I would appreciate any help!

A desperate user!

Do you mean X Axis labels? If so, highlight the series in the chart. Look in
the formula bar and you'll probably see 2 consecutive commas in the series
formula. Click between these commas and then drag through the cells you want
to be the X Axis labels. Press enter.

 

[maccamb]

Aaaaah!

Thank you so much! I vaguely remember the PC version providing the choice in the "Source Data" box.

Much appreciated!

 

[maccamb]

OK, stumped again but please forgive my ignorance. How can I add descriptions of the axes? I remember something called Chart Options in PC Excel but I cannot seem to be able to select it (its always greyed out) when I right click in the plot area. I used to be able to fill a text box that described the X-axis as "Price of wheat" and the Y-axis as "Cost of Bread" etc

 

[Eric Waldbaum [MSFT]]

Chart Options are in the Formatting Palette when a chart is selected in
Office 2008. To describe each axis, I suggest going to the Formatting
Palette->Chart Options->Titles section and clicking the menu for each axis
and typing the description in the textbox below the menu. (A similar post
was "Chart titles in Excel 2008".) I hope this helps you enjoy using charts
in Excel 2008!

-Eric
MacOffice Testing
Microsoft

P.S. A tip for line charts is to add a trendline, you can right-click
(Ctrl+click) on the data series line and Add Trendline...
---

 

[maccamb]

Thanks guys - much appreciated. I am now stuck at another problem. Every time I try to add a new series to that line chart, it overwrites the old one! Aaargh - this is drivign me crazy. I love the program for its speed and beautiful interface but its behavior is a little erratic!

 

[Bob Greenblatt]

Thanks guys - much appreciated. I am now stuck at another problem. Every time
I try to add a new series to that line chart, it overwrites the old one!
Aaargh - this is drivign me crazy. I love the program for its speed and
beautiful interface but its behavior is a little erratic!

Works fine for me. What are you doing? I selected the chart, then in the
chart menu selected add data, then highlighted the new data. It was properly
added to the chart.

 

[Michael]

I was stuck with same problem as the thread starter. This is ridiculous! Is there really no "normal" way to define what values you want on the x-axis? How many people are going to think to look between those two commas in the formula bar?

 

[JE McGimpsey]

I was stuck with same problem as the thread starter. This is ridiculous! Is
there really no "normal" way to define what values you want on the x-axis?
How many people are going to think to look between those two commas in the
formula bar?

One other workaround (not normal, either, but...)

1) Instead of a line chart, select the y-data and choose XY-scatter.

2) With the chart (or series) selected, click Edit Data on the Formula
Palette. In the "X-values" box, enter the range for your labels. Click OK

3) In the Chart Gallery, select the form of line chart you want.

Does the same thing, but relieves the user of actually having to
understand how a series is constructed.