Grouping Variables on an axis

[mholmes]

Hello all,
I am creating a 3D bar chart. I have 20 species that will go on the
x-axis. THese species fall into 5 distinct groups. Is there a way to
indicate the groups in addition to the species names on the graph?
For instance, Species1, Species2 and Species3 are all "Deep-water"
while species 5, and species6 are "mid-water." Thanks for your help.

 

[Jon Peltier]

1. Use a 2D bar chart. It will have less chance of misrepresenting the data
through the magic of perspective/parallax and chart junk.

2. You need three columns. The second column is the species and the third is
the value you are plotting (same as your first and second columns now). In
the first column, put the group name next to the first species of the group,
and leave the rest of the column blank. Make sure the top cells of the group
column and the species column are blank, and the top cell of the value
column has a label. Select the entire range, including the blanks and label
in the top row, and create the chart.

- Jon