data to chart on primary axis

  • Thread starter Thread starter jw
  • Start date Start date
J

jw

I have a series that I chart as a column, "Precipitation"
and three series that I chart as XY Scatter, "Plant Cover
1"...

I created the chart as a column chart and when I change
each of the "Plant Cover" series to an XY Scatter, Excel
chooses the "Precipitation" column to plot on the primary
axis. I would like "Precipitation" on the secondary axis
so the chart matches the format of my other charts.

I have tried to select the XY Scatter series and put them
on the primary axis, but the column just disappears.

I have tried starting with an XY Scatter chart first
also, and then changing the "Precipitation"

Sometimes I am able to get the graph I am looking for
with experimentation. But I never find a method I can
write down and use the next time. For example, when I
try to put "Precipitation" on the second axis and select
Secondary Y and Secondary x axes, sometimes the column
charts from the top of the chart down.

How can I find a consistent method?

Thank you in advance for any suggestions!
 
jw said:
I have a series that I chart as a column, "Precipitation"
and three series that I chart as XY Scatter, "Plant Cover
1"...

I created the chart as a column chart and when I change
each of the "Plant Cover" series to an XY Scatter, Excel
chooses the "Precipitation" column to plot on the primary
axis. I would like "Precipitation" on the secondary axis
so the chart matches the format of my other charts.

I have tried to select the XY Scatter series and put them
on the primary axis, but the column just disappears.

I have tried starting with an XY Scatter chart first
also, and then changing the "Precipitation"

Sometimes I am able to get the graph I am looking for
with experimentation. But I never find a method I can
write down and use the next time. For example, when I
try to put "Precipitation" on the second axis and select
Secondary Y and Secondary x axes, sometimes the column
charts from the top of the chart down.

How can I find a consistent method?
Click to expand...

This worked for me.

Create the chart with all series as XY scatter. Select the "Precipitation"
series, change it to the secondary axis. Right-click the chart and select
Chart Options | Data tab. Enable the secondary X axis. Now change the
Precipitation series to column.

The columns originate from the top, but I presume from your comments that
the matching charts are also like that.

Hope this helps.

Dave
dvt at psu dot edu
 
Hi,

Thank you for your response! I had tried exactly what
you suggested, but I do not want the columns to chart
from the top.

Our data is best represented when the scatter dots
overlie the precipitation bars. My other charts have
Percent Cover on the primary axis and Precipitation on
the secondary axis only because I set the scale to be the
same on each axis (kind of cheating). This will not work
with the current charts I am fixing.

Any more ideas?

Thanks again!
 
Thank you! You have correctly restated my problem. I
think I need details though. I selected the lower x axis
and adjusted the scale from "Value (y) axix crosses
between categories" to "Value (y) axis crosses at maximum
category" or "Categories in reverse order". The y axes
flipped! However, on the left side of the chart only a
title appeared, with no actual y axis. I tried to find
this y axis but it appears to be missing.

What should I try next?
 
You need to have at least one series for each axis. To assign a series
to primary or secondary axis, double click on it, and on the Axis tab,
select the desired axis.

If you've done this, and the desired axis does not show up, right click
the chart, select Chart Options from the pop up menu, click on the Axes
tab, and make sure all the desired axes are checked.

If the secondary Y axis still doesn't show up, Excel is trying to put it
and the primary axis in the same place. Repeat the last step to
(temporarily) add a secondary X axis, then format this axis so the
corresponding Y axis crosses where the primary Y axis isn't in the way.
By default, secondary axes are formatted so the axis crosses at the
maximum, so you can uncheck this box, and both Y axes should be visible.
Now you can uncheck the secondary X axis in the Chart Options/Axes dialog.

- Jon
 
Hi,
Thank you for the details! I will print this page and
try your directions. From the looks of the directions, I
think this may work. It took me a while to get back to
this project, and I do appreciate your help!
 
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