Locking the scale ratio of X-Y axis in XY scatter charts

#1 01-27-2005, 10:06 AM

When presenting results via scatter charts it is often preferred to keep the
scales identical on both axis (i.e. a unit on each axis is equal to the same
number of pixels on screen). Is it possible to do that in Excel?

#2 01-27-2005, 04:06 PM

DK,

Since the resolutions of PCs and printers vary, it would probably be more
advantageous to create a proportional relationship between the X and Y scales
for the two charts. For example, a single unit on the X axis of chart 1
might be equal to 2 units on the X axis on chart 2. 3 units on the Y axis of
chart 1 might equal 6 units on the Y axis of chart 2. You can easily set up
these types of proportional relationships with algebra.

If you choose a proportional setup similar to this your viewers can quickly
tell what the relationships are. They may not be able to do so if you're
trying to measure the two charts against pixels on a screen.

----
Regards,
John Mansfield
http://www.pdbook.com

"DK-Mech" wrote:

> When presenting results via scatter charts it is often preferred to keep the
> scales identical on both axis (i.e. a unit on each axis is equal to the same
> number of pixels on screen). Is it possible to do that in Excel?

#3 01-28-2005, 01:06 AM

You need to use VBA to do this, as described in this article:

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

- Jon
-------
Jon Peltier, Microsoft Excel MVP
Peltier Technical Services
Tutorials and Custom Solutions
http://PeltierTech.com/
_______

DK-Mech wrote:

> When presenting results via scatter charts it is often preferred to keep the
> scales identical on both axis (i.e. a unit on each axis is equal to the same
> number of pixels on screen). Is it possible to do that in Excel?

#4 01-28-2005, 06:06 AM

I was just using pixels as an example. I suppose it wasn't a very good one.
Thanks anyway.

"John Mansfield" wrote:

> DK,
>
> Since the resolutions of PCs and printers vary, it would probably be more
> advantageous to create a proportional relationship between the X and Y scales
> for the two charts. For example, a single unit on the X axis of chart 1
> might be equal to 2 units on the X axis on chart 2. 3 units on the Y axis of
> chart 1 might equal 6 units on the Y axis of chart 2. You can easily set up
> these types of proportional relationships with algebra.
>
> If you choose a proportional setup similar to this your viewers can quickly
> tell what the relationships are. They may not be able to do so if you're
> trying to measure the two charts against pixels on a screen.
>
> ----
> Regards,
> John Mansfield
> http://www.pdbook.com
>
>
> "DK-Mech" wrote:
>
> > When presenting results via scatter charts it is often preferred to keep the
> > scales identical on both axis (i.e. a unit on each axis is equal to the same
> > number of pixels on screen). Is it possible to do that in Excel?

#5 01-28-2005, 06:06 AM

Thanks, this helps.

"Jon Peltier" wrote:

> You need to use VBA to do this, as described in this article:
>
> http://peltiertech.com/Excel/Charts/SquareGrid.html
>
> - Jon
> -------
> Jon Peltier, Microsoft Excel MVP
> Peltier Technical Services
> Tutorials and Custom Solutions
> http://PeltierTech.com/
> _______
>
> DK-Mech wrote:
>
> > When presenting results via scatter charts it is often preferred to keep the
> > scales identical on both axis (i.e. a unit on each axis is equal to the same
> > number of pixels on screen). Is it possible to do that in Excel?
>

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