Thread: Log horizontal axis with secondary virtical

I have an odd problem which seems like a bug, but it may be a "feature." Does anyone know how to handle this? My version is Excel 2007.

I have data with common values for the independant variable (X axis, horizontal axis) but of different orders of magnitude for the dependant variables (Y axis, virtical axis.) So I'm using the secondary axis, which works just like it's supposed to, since this is exactly the situation for which it exists. The graph is made with the "X Y (Scatter)" type, since my independant variable values are not evenly spaced.

But, the nature of the data is such that I want the horizontal axis to be logorithmic. So, I format the axis with the "Logorithmic Scale" box checked, and here's the problem: Only the series on the primary virtical axis is affected. Since there's only one horizontal axis, both series should be affected, but the curve for hte series on the secondary axis remains exactly the same, rendering it incorrect and useless.

I've attached an example using dumbed down data to illustrate the point.

Thanks for your help.

Thanks. I flatter myself that I'm something of an Excel wizard (though there are those better) but I'd never heard of a secondary horizontal axis. Is this new in 2007?

Having it available I would consider a feature, if one that I would rarely use. But the way it's handled has a major design flaw here. Not only does it not become logorithmic along with the primary when not shown, it does change its scale along with the primary axis. In other words, when not visible it goes along with the primary in one respect but not the other. Yuck!

hanks. I flatter myself that I'm something of an Excel wizard (though there are those better) but I'd never heard of a secondary horizontal axis. Is this new in 2007?

No, a secondary x-axis is available (under Chart->options) in 2002 (I don't remember ever trying back in 5.0).

As for the behavior you describe, I can't download your file because I have an older version But in a test file I created in my older version, I don't see that behavior. In my version, until I explicitly tell it to show the secondary x-axis, it treats both series as being on the same x-axis. So when I toggle the x-axis between linear and logarithmic, both series adjust to match the new configuration. Here's the file I tested on.

Maybe the behavior you describe is new to 2007? If so, I'll have to remember that when I upgrade.

That's what I remember from 2003. I still have 2003 at home and my company just rolled 2007 out this year, so I'm still getting used to it. So it's definitely a 2007 bug.