Multiple series with different x-values on one scatter plot

[NKelly]

I'm trying to add a new series to a scatter plot in Excel,
but the new series uses a different set of x-values. I
want to plot it along the same axis as the other series,
but Excel plots the first point at (1, #) and the second
point at (2, #), etc., instead of actually reading in the
x-value and putting it at that place on the plot.

How can I change this so that it plots the point at the
correct/actual x,y values?

 

[Bernard V Liengme]

Hi,
Let's say you have a chart with the first data series displayed.
Now select the data (the x-values and y-values ) for the new data series and
click the Copy tool
Click the chart to activate it
Use the menu command Edit|PasteSpecial; the dialog box will set you specify
New Series AND X-values in first Column (row).

Bernard
www.stfx.ca/people/bliengme

 

[NKelly]

I wanted to add that the standard way of using "Paste
Special" on the chart works for a small amount of data
points (maybe 15 x,y pairs?), but fails and creates the
problem below for more points.
What to do? Thanks!

 

[Bernard V Liengme]

I have just added a 30 point series to a chart with existing 4 point data
series. No problem

I am not sure what you mean by "but Excel plots the first point at (1, #)
and the second
point at (2, #)" What do the #s mean here?

Want to send me the file (not to newsgroup)?
Bernard

 

[Jon Peltier]

Bernard's suggestion works just fine for a SCATTER chart, not for a LINE
chart.

If the chart is a LINE chart, Excel uses the X values of the first
series as category labels for all the series, regardless of any apparent
value in these labels.

Change the chart to a SCATTER chart (right click, Chart type from the
pop up menu, Chart Type, and select a Scatter type), and the points will
be located horizontally according to the numerical value of the X values.

The confusion between LINE and SCATTER charts is one of the most
frustrating things about learning Excel, and I've tried to address it in
my article in the Tech Trax newsletter:

Scatter Chart or Line Chart?
http://pubs.logicalexpressions.com/Pub0009/LPMArticle.asp?ID=190

- Jon