How to draw a graph with the X axis as a time line of date.

  • Thread starter Thread starter Roger R
  • Start date Start date
R

Roger R

My data comprises values measured on various dates.
I want to draw a simple line graph that displays the sample values on the Y
axis and having a time line as the X axis. The data was not sampled on
regular dates but intermittently as was convenient.

The chart wizard can display the data in many different ways, but not how i
want it. All the charts display the data with each sample date equally
spaced along the X axis rather than proportionally spaced as they occurred.

How can i change the X axis setting to display the data as time line ?
 
One way is to add the missing dates to your data and enter a "#N/A" value in them.

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"Roger R" <[email protected]>
wrote in message
My data comprises values measured on various dates.
I want to draw a simple line graph that displays the sample values on the Y
axis and having a time line as the X axis. The data was not sampled on
regular dates but intermittently as was convenient.

The chart wizard can display the data in many different ways, but not how i
want it. All the charts display the data with each sample date equally
spaced along the X axis rather than proportionally spaced as they occurred.

How can i change the X axis setting to display the data as time line ?
 
Roger

I don't quite understand what you mean.

When I create a chart with non-equally spaced dates for the X-axis
each datapoint is not equally spaced.

They are spaced in proportion.

eg if date1 is 01 Sep 2010, date2 is 04 Sep 2010 and date3 is 08 Sep
2010 then the distance between 1 and 2 isn't the same as that between
2 and 3

Admittedly it's a wee bit difficult to see that if you are dealing
with a lot of data.
 
My data comprises values measured on various dates.
I want to draw a simple line graph that displays the sample values on the Y
axis and having a time line as the X axis. The data was not sampled on
regular dates but intermittently as was convenient.

The chart wizard can display the data in many different ways, but not how i
want it. All the charts display the data with each sample date equally
spaced along the X axis rather than proportionally spaced as they occurred.

How can i change the X axis setting to display the data as time line ?
Click to expand...

It sounds like you want to use a scatter chart so that the intervals are
proportional to their value. Its default is to only put the points on
the graph, but it is easy to then select the desired set of points and
customize to add a line to 'connect the dots'. Ensure the data for the
x-axis is sorted in chronological order or you may get some weird
looking charts. :)
 
norie said:
Roger

I don't quite understand what you mean.

When I create a chart with non-equally spaced dates for the X-axis
each datapoint is not equally spaced.

They are spaced in proportion.

eg if date1 is 01 Sep 2010, date2 is 04 Sep 2010 and date3 is 08 Sep
2010 then the distance between 1 and 2 isn't the same as that between
2 and 3
Click to expand...

ok.
Thanks to those who responded.
I have it now.

Norie - Yes, that's how I want it but it doesn't do that for me.
I am using the 2003 version where the default appears to be equally
spaced. Perhaps you are using a later version where things are different.
To get the data to appear proportionally by date as described, I had to
follow the steps described below.
(basically selecting the 'Category X axis labels' for the X values of data
and setting the radio button to 'Time Scale')

The detailed procedure was:
Select the menu item 'Chart Wizard'.

Chart Wizard pane Step 1: Standard Types tab
chart type Line> chart subtype 4 > Next
Click to expand...

Chart Wizard Step 2 of 4: Data Range tab
select Y values in data sheet (series in columns)
Click to expand...
switch to Series tab:
Category (X) axis labels: select date values in data sheet
(At this point the data on the graph is equally spaced)
Next
Click to expand...

Chart Wizard step 3 of 4: Chart Options. Axes tab:
Primary axis, Category (X) axis (ticked)
Check Radio button 'Time Scale'.
(At this point displayed graph changes -
long time gaps now have wide spacing and vice versa)
[Value (Y) axis is also ticked.]
Next
Click to expand...

Chart Wizard Step 4 of 4 Chart location.
Select desired option.
Save & print graph.

Possibly there may be an issue of semantics with 'charts and graphs'.
A chart possibly would space the available data equally along the X axis,
whereas a graph could have the X axis set to some progression of values
(e.g.time) and space the actual data points proportionally along it.
Or something like that !

Roger
 
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