How does Excel recognize X categories and Y data series

[DashboardNovice]

I have seen different ways to set up source data for a chart. It's hard to remember all the possibilities.

How does Excel determine which cells will be the X categories and which cells will be the data series (even if there is more than one series)?

Are there any general guidelines? Any links?

 

[NARAYANK991]

Hi ,

The following links should help :

http://peltiertech.com/Excel/Charts/axes.html

http://peltiertech.com/Excel/ChartsHowTo/CatVsValueAxis.html

http://www.techrepublic.com/blog/mi...xcel-charting-bug-that-could-drive-you-crazy/

http://www.mrexcel.com/forum/excel-questions/512558-create-line-chart-first-column-x-axis.html

Narayan

 

[Hui]

Excel looks at the ranges you have selected
In General :
If there are more columns than rows it will use the First Column for X and then all other columns for Y series values
If there are more rows than columns it will use the First Row for X and then all other Rows for Y series values

It may group X Values if there is a mixtures of Text and Values until it finds a Group of Rows/Columns suitable for an X Axis and the chart type selected

You always have the facility to manually change it's choices or Switch Rows/Columns if it made a bad guess


The other method that I find I use all the time is
Don't select any cells
goto Insert Chart
Select the chart types you want
Excel adds a blank chart with no series

Then Right click on the chart and Select Data
Add the data Series manually
This is great when using Named Formula for the chart