Overlaying 2 Data Series with Different Time (X) Axis

  • Thread starter Thread starter stef_204
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stef_204

Win XP Pro
Excel 2002 SP3

Hi,

I need to chart (overlay) 2 data series over the same period of time, say
January 1, 2010 to December 31, 2010.

The problem is twofold:

1) The series are very much out of the same range, so I have to plot 1 on
primary and other on secondary axis (otherwise, the Y axis scale does not
allow a proper comparison)

I "could" resolve that by "normalizing" the 2 series so start at 100 each
but it would lose value with normalized numbers as opposed to the actual
numbers. Normalizing both series would allow using only a Primary axis.

2) Both series do not have the same amount of data points, one has more
than the other which creates the real problem: I cannot overlay the 2
series due to this X axis difference between the 2 as they "diverge"
through time and one would be shorter than the other, graphically.

How can this be resolved?

The only way, I can see is to add (fill-in) data points in the one series
which has the lesser number of points, but I don't have to point out how
tedious this can quickly become.

Any tricks, workarounds to 2) above?

Thanks for any feedback.
 
Win XP Pro
Excel 2002 SP3

Hi,

I need to chart (overlay) 2 data series over the same period of time, say
January 1, 2010 to December 31, 2010.

The problem is twofold:

1) The series are very much out of the same range, so I have to plot 1 on
primary and other on secondary axis (otherwise, the Y axis scale does not
allow a proper comparison)

I "could" resolve that by "normalizing" the 2 series so start at 100 each
but it would lose value with normalized numbers as opposed to the actual
numbers.  Normalizing both series would allow using only a Primary axis..

2) Both series do not have the same amount of data points, one has more
than the other which creates the real problem:  I cannot overlay the 2
series due to this X axis difference between the 2 as they "diverge"
through time and one would be shorter than the other, graphically.

How can this be resolved?

The only way, I can see is to add (fill-in) data points in the one series
which has the lesser number of points, but I don't have to point out how
tedious this can quickly become.

Any tricks, workarounds to 2) above?

Thanks for any feedback.
Click to expand...

Are you using a line graph? It seems to me that if you use an xy-
scatter graph with the actual date on the x axis, the two graphs will
plot in their respective places no matter the number of points in each
series.
Cheers, xt
 
Are you using a line graph? It seems to me that if you use an xy-
scatter graph with the actual date on the x axis, the two graphs will
plot in their respective places no matter the number of points in each
series.
Cheers, xt
Click to expand...

Hi,

It's a good idea but can't use a scatter graph, has to be a line graph.
 
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