Combine side-by-side data series with 3D column chart

isburns · #1 07-31-2009, 03:01 PM

I've attached the chart I'd like to change the formatting on, but I'm not sure if it's possible and searching hasn't yielded anything useful yet.

In the attachment, I'd like the LH106 Sed, LH104 Sed, and LH102 Sed series to all side-by-side and the LH106 Volume, LH104 Volume, and LH102 Volume series also be side by side but directly behind or in front of the corresponding 3 data series.

I'm demonstrating it using a 3D column chart which is what I want, but a 2D column chart with the Sed data series on the primary axis and the Volume data series on the secondary axis seems close if I could just convert it to a 3D chart. When I have the Volume series on the secondary axis and try switching the data series/chart type to 3d column, Excel warns me "You cannot combine 2-D and 3-D chart types."

I suspect the chart type I want can't be done in Excel, but maybe someone can help.

Thanks
Shea

Andy Pope · #2 08-01-2009, 07:08 AM

When you say side-by-side what do you mean. The series are currently next to each other.

Do you want 2 rows with 3 column for each rainfall event?

The 3d choice can be mis-leading, difficult to read and obscure data points.

isburns · #3 08-01-2009, 01:52 PM

Yes, 2 rows with 3 columns for each event instead of 6 rows for each event.

I agree the 3d choice can be difficult to read, but in this situation if it can do what I want it to I believe it's the best option, at least in Excel, to represent 2 different data types at 3 different locations for 10 different events. However, if you have any other suggestions for chart types in Excel that I might want to try I'm willing to try them.

Thanks

Andy Pope · #4 08-02-2009, 06:37 AM

2 rows with groups of 3 bars.

It's all in the data layout.

Consider panel charts as an alternative
http://peltiertech.com/Excel/ChartsH...nelChart1.html

isburns · #5 08-03-2009, 02:36 PM

Thanks, that helped quite a bit. What happens if your two data series represented in rows have different magnitudes? Like one series varies from 0 to 2 and the other varies from 0 to 50. I see that it automatically rescales to fit the largest values, but is there a way to have a secondary Z-Axis?

Thanks
Shea

Andy Pope · #6 08-04-2009, 04:15 AM

No secondary axis with 3d charts, another good reason not to use them

Welcome to the Excel Forum

Forum Statistics