Displaying text from cells as X axis units

**castabya** · 03-20-2010, 11:56 PM

I am sorry for what must be such a simple question, but how do I get the X axis to display text from cells entered by the user; vs a number? X Axis might look like Original settings, reassembly 1, reassembly 2, gear swap etc. I tried selecting those cells as X when selecting data, but X axis still show some generic data 1, 1.5 2 etc.

**teylyn** · 03-21-2010, 12:14 AM

Try selecting them again. Select the chart, click Charts - Source data and set the range for the X axis categories.
If that does not help, post the file.

**castabya** · 03-21-2010, 10:12 AM

I could not get that to work. I saw on another thread where I could load a program to for Excel Data Labels, and while that will be useful, did not get what I needed accomplished either. I am trying to get the X axis to read Original, Reassemble 1, Reassemble 2, and Reassemble 3. These will always be the first 4 entries values for X. I then need to be able to allow the user to enter new text in up to four additional columns carrying this same convention down the same row based on what they have tested, "gear", "rotors" etc.

I just discovered one additional issue with this chart. The dashed lines in the chart are my decision limits. when trying to get the last one to display (CRmax LDL), all of my display was compressed and moved up, and the chart scale was thrown off. I noticed that therre was a message stating if one more series was added that all previous series would be removed...? I thought I had exceeded the limit, so I removed the 2 series for average and added the CRmax LDL again, but got the same thing. What am I doing wrong there?

**teylyn** · 03-21-2010, 06:10 PM

OK, one thing after the other.

First, you just signed up, listed your Excel version as 2003 and then promptly attached a 2007 chart. Could you please update your profile as to which Excel version you are actually using. There are considerable differences between the versions, especially with charting, so it makes everybody's life easier if we know what version you're working with.

Next: Your chart is a XY chart and you need to trick the axis to show the labels. You will need the XY Chart Labeler Add-in, which you can download from here: http://www.appspro.com/Utilities/ChartLabeler.htm
You will need to enter a dummy series with all 0 values and assign the labels to that dummy series. After that, remove the axis labels.

Next: when you add new data series to the chart, the scale of the Y axis may change to accommodate the new series. You can manually format the axis and define the scale to suit your purpose.

If you have a manually defined lower axis limit, your dummy series need to have the same values as the minimum value of the Y axis scale.

**castabya** · 03-22-2010, 04:07 PM

I changed my profile to reflect use of 2007...

I tried what you suggested, or at least what I think you suggested, but had no luck. I think the issue is with my understanding what I am supposed to do. I installed the label program successfully, and have tried it on a simple chart to verify that it works. My issue begins from there starting with dummy value. I do not know where to put them, or which cells to seignate them for or to since all cells will line up in column format with these text vlaues along the X axis.

Should I look at hiring out the completion of the graph? Is that something I can do on this site, and if so, how would I go about it?

**teylyn** · 03-22-2010, 08:26 PM

OK,

I've added the data from row 10 to the chart and adjusted the Y axis to a minimum of 67.

I've then added four cells to the sheet, each with a value of 67 and added that range as a series to the chart. It does not matter where these cells are. I put them somewhere underneath the chart.

Now, engaging the Chart Labeler, choose the series "X axis labels" and assign the text values in B3:E3 with a label position of "Below"

Format the data series "X axis labels" to have no line and no markers, to hide it. Delete the series label from the legend. Be careful to select the label in the legend, not the marker.

Then, format the X axis to have no Axis labels.

Select the plot area and drag its lower border upwards a bit to give the (fake) X axis labels some space.

If your values change, you will need to adjust two things: the minimum value of the Y axis and the data point values for the fake X-axis labels.

Next time you're in town, you can buy me a coffee.

**castabya** · 03-22-2010, 10:48 PM

Thank you so much,I really appreciate it. I have always wanted to visit New Zealand, so if I make it, I'll look you up. I will be in your other neck of the woods (Germany in three weeks).

Let me look over the file, and see if I can learn from it now that it is populated. i'll drop back in tomorrow to mark this assolved and give you great marks.

Thanks again.