Stacked charts

[HarryAdney]

Is it possible to create a circular stacked chart? So the radius of the
circle is equivalent to the height of the bar. It seems like it should be
possible but I just can't think of a way to get it done!

Thanks in advance,

HarryAdney

 

[John]

Not too sure if this is what you want, but you can take the existing chart,
create a circle from the drawing toolbar, copy the circle, click on the bar
you want changing and paste it
--
John
MOS Master Instructor Office 2000, 2002 & 2003
Please reply & rate any replies you get

Ice Hockey rules (especially the Wightlink Raiders)

 

[HarryAdney]

Thanks John, but the simplest way to visualise what I'm trying to achieve is
a chart of concentric circles. The radius of the whole circle is the axis,
equivalent to the Y axis. The thickness of each circle is equivalent to the
height of each component that makes up the stacked bar. The dataset I'm using
would only need one bar, which would have 5 datasets. This would be
equivalent to 1 stacked bar with 5 parts to it, each a different colour.

Wadgets = 5
Wedgets = 4
Widgets = 5
Wodgets = 7
Wudgets = 3

This would show, (in an ordinary stacked bar), 1 bar, 24 units high with 5
elements of appropriate height.

The version I want would be 5 concentric circles of total radius 24 units,
each element would be the appropriate thickness (height).

Thnks again for any input on this.

 

[Jon Peltier]

The chart you envision might look nice, but it would be difficult for people
to interpret. According to visualization experts, people perceive parallel
distances much better than angular or radial distances. Also, by adding a
ring for each successive item, you will be making the later ones look more
important because the area of each ring increases.

Use a bar or column chart, or a line chart.

- Jon

 

[Del Cotter]

Thanks John, but the simplest way to visualise what I'm trying to achieve is
a chart of concentric circles. The radius of the whole circle is the axis,
equivalent to the Y axis. The thickness of each circle is equivalent to the
height of each component that makes up the stacked bar. The dataset I'm using
would only need one bar, which would have 5 datasets. This would be
equivalent to 1 stacked bar with 5 parts to it, each a different colour.

Wadgets = 5
Wedgets = 4
Widgets = 5
Wodgets = 7
Wudgets = 3

This would show, (in an ordinary stacked bar), 1 bar, 24 units high with 5
elements of appropriate height.

The version I want would be 5 concentric circles of total radius 24 units,
each element would be the appropriate thickness (height).

Bubble Chart! Make all the bubbles occupy the same point at their
centres, and make the radii of the bubbles the size you want. Make sure
that the data values are sorted in radius order so that no large bubble
hides a smaller bubble behind it. Make the bubble radii equal to the
*cumulative* size of the values, so that the unhidden part of each
bubble is what shows.

Be careful not to give the wrong impression: the outermost ring will
appear to have more area than the ones further in, even if they have the
same thickness. For instance, the Wadgets, if they are on the outside,
will appear to have 4.5/2.5=180% of the size of the Widgets, even though
they have the same ring thickness, 5. You might be better off selecting
the "proportional bubble area" option instead of "proportional bubble
radius".

But why are you doing this? Is it because you want to create an
"interesting" alternative to a stacked bar chart? That's usually a bad
idea. Interesting is what the data should be, not the presentation.

 

[HarryAdney]

Thanks Del,

I agree with both you and Jon, it won't look very good at all, but that's
what I was asked for! I've tried explaining the issues, but they've "seen it
somewhere before and liked the look of it". I'll try your idea Del, but I
think a rethink as you've all suggested is definitely in order.

Thanks again everyone.