Graph: How to Prevent Data Series Plotted Against Different Axis from Overlapping

ID: Q237835

The information in this article applies to:

Microsoft Graph 2000 for Windows

SUMMARY

When you create a Graph with two separate axes, the columns, bars, or other designs may overlap each other which hides information. There is a way to overcome this problem by formatting the placement of data on the datasheet.

MORE INFORMATION

The datasheet for a two axes Graph will be set up similar to Figure 1.

Figure 1

		A	B	C	D
		1st QTR	2nd QTR	3rd QTR	4th QTR
1	Series 1	24	34	78	12
2	Series 2	35	56	23	43

Each column on the data sheet represents a single category on the chart. Because the two series share the same column, they will share the same category. When series 2 is set to be on the secondary axis, by default Graph places the data points in the center of each category, for both series. Because of this, the two series now overlap each other.

To prevent this from occurring, the two data series must have their own unique categories for each data point being plotted. To do this, alternate the placement of data in the datasheet, so that neither series shares the same column for each data point. See Figure 2.

Figure 2

		A	B	C	D	E	F	G	H
		1st	QTR	2nd	QTR	3rd	QTR	4th	QTR
1	Series 1	24		34		78		12
2	Series 2		35		56		23		43

In addition to adding an extra column between each data point, the category titles were also split between the two columns. This was done to enhance the appearance of a single category rather than two separate categories.

Additional query words: howto ppt powerpnt graph gra 2000 2k 9.0 ppt9 graphing chartng chart manipulate change move organize cover hiding overlapping messed up

Keywords : kbdta kbgraph
Version : WINDOWS:2000
Platform : WINDOWS
Issue type : kbhowto