Line Chart with data that repeats

**synthesis** · 05-07-2016, 05:26 PM

I'd like to produce a line chart based off the following sort of data. I've got three columns

Type Time Value
A 1 100
A 2 150
A 3 200
B 1 80
B 2 90
B 3 100

The key fact is that the times associated with the various A-values are supposed to correspond to the times associates with the various B values. So the time index "1" is supposed to correspond to an A-value of 100 and a B-value of 80.

What I'd like is a line chart that creates one line for the A-values, with the x-Axis labeled for Time (1, 2, 3) and the Y-axis labeled for values (100, 150, 200), and another line for the B-values, with the same X-axis labeling and the line for the B-value below the line for the A-values. I'm attaching a mock-up of the sort of chart I'm looking for, since I think that might be clearest.chart-mockup.jpeg

Thanks a lot for any help.

**MrShorty** · 05-07-2016, 07:24 PM

Sometimes I think that a lot of charting questions are really about arranging data in the spreadsheet. Is it necessary to chart from the data listed like you describe, or would you be able to rearrange the data.

If you cannot rearrange the data, the the easiest approach will be to use a scatter chart rather than a line chart. Select one set of data (B2:C4, assuming the upper left is A1 as you describe it), insert a scatter chart (lines without markers), Design -> Select Data -> Add series -> Select additional data series as needed.

If you can rearrange the data, then aim for an arrangement like this:

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A pivot table may be the easiest way to arrange the data this way.

With the data arranged in this kind of table, select the table, insert line chart, line without markers, and you should be very close.