category label spacing (x-axis generally)

[arcibald tuttle]

Have a column chart in which the same label applies to two adjacen
columns. Rather than have it redundantly redisplay the labels
adjusted the tick mark spacing to 2 so it only displays every othe
label.

The problem is how to shift the alignment of the category labels alon
the x-axis to the label appears somewhat centered under the two column
to which it applies?

Normally I might trick something like this by adjust the th
relationship of the displayed font to its baseline (similar t
subscript or superscript functions). While I find the ability to choos
subscript or superscript functions there is no ability I've found so fa
to adjust the extent of offset they accomplish and at the presets, the
don't move the type very far, they just make it smaller.

Any ideas or workarounds appreciated.

Bria

 

[Luke M]

My obvious question is, why have two columns?

But barring that...

Assuming your raw data has column labels in column A.
Insert a column to left of A (labels are now in B)
Where you have the duplicate labels, move it to the first spot in the A
column, leave the cell below it blank
When the labels in column B resume, place a space in column A

Example:

<blank cell> Label 1
<blank cell> Label 2
Label 3 <blank cell>
<blank cell> <blank cell>
<space> Label 4
etc...

This will cause your chart to have a secondary set of labels

 

[arcibald tuttle]

;942287']My obvious question is, why have two columns

But barring that..

Assuming your raw data has column labels in column A
Insert a column to left of A (labels are now in B
Where you have the duplicate labels, move it to the first spot in the

column, leave the cell below it blan
When the labels in column B resume, place a space in column

Example

<blank cell> Label
<blank cell> Label
Label 3 <blank cell
<blank cell> <blank cell
<space> Label
etc..

This will cause your chart to have a secondary set of label

Luke

thanks for the note. I don't see that I can post a worksheet o
chartsheet so I have attached a .pdf of the graph in question

The reason that I have two columns with a single label is that they ar
dual runs of different towns (in Rhode Island)

I'm not clear on what creating secondary labels will accomplish. If yo
look at the .jpg snip from the graph, what I'm hoping to do is simply t
shift the x-axis category labels to the right about an eight of an inc
relative to the plotted data, e.g. about 9 or 10 points for thos
familiar with typesetting measure. You'll notice from the graphic tha
the town names currently line up with the major vertical gridlines tha
appear at two column intervals. I need the labels to line u
approximately with the center of the space between those vertica
gridlines

Also, under the <alignment> format option for the axis, I have reduce
the "offset" to 0 which brought the labels a little bit closer to th
bottom of the graphed data, but I would prefer them even closer t
make it easier to see which label applies to which set of columns. Th
large amount of white space between the end of the label and the botto
of the actual graph also contributes to difficulty in seeing which labe
attaches to which pair of columns.

The simplest option would be if you could select the category axis an
just move it around a little like you can a legend (ideally you'd b
able to hold an option or modifier key and use the areas to micr
adjust but I'd take adjusting with the mouse if that were all I coul
get. I am running Excel 2004 on a Mac but I could do it in the Mac 200
version (I prefer the simpler version unless I need a features of 2008)

Hope this graphic gives you an idea what I'm trying to do, and, if
have misunderstood your suggestion and it is aimed at doing what
desire don't hesitate to enlighten me a second time

Best regards

Bria

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