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Create a radar chart

  1. #1
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    Create a radar chart

    Hi I am trying to create a radar chart or which would be the best to show the below data. Trying to show what the threshold of a particular catergory is and where it is at a given period of time. I was thinking of doing a radar chart, but which chart type would depict the below information the best and easier to follow? Lines 3-5 are %.


    Threshold 2016
    Line 1 500 540
    Line 2 140 110
    Line 3 12 8
    Line 4 0.2 0.15
    Line 5 0.15 0.18

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    Re: Create a radar chart

    How much of your question is about what chart type to use, and how much is about the Excel specific mechanics of creating a chart?

    If it is more about the mechanics of creating charts, I would suggest these two help files:
    https://support.office.com/en-us/art...5-104A9018B86E because I tend to use line/scatter charts most of the time
    https://support.office.com/en-us/art...5-29FF9B10601D because you specifically asked about a radar chart

    If your question is more about what chart type to use, my advice at this point would be to create both charts and decide from there which one communicates what you want better. If you create the charts in a workbook and upload that workbook here, we would be better able to make specific suggestions.
    Quote Originally Posted by shg
    Mathematics is the native language of the natural world. Just trying to become literate.

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    Re: Create a radar chart

    My question is im trying to figure out which graph would be the best to show the two data options. Attached is the spider chart I created. Which graph do you think is easier to understand.
    Attached Files Attached Files

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    Re: Create a radar chart

    I can understand the spider/radar chart, but it is a little hard to read. Because the values for line 4 and line 5 are so small (<0.2 out of 12), there is nothing to see for lines 4 and 5. Line 1 does not show much, because the chart lines are essentially on top of each other and you cannot see the difference between the two series. Lines 2 and 3 show a discernible difference. What I can see is that threshold and 2016 are both very similar curves. If you are trying to communicate that threshold and 2016 are similar, then I think it is doing okay. If you want to be able to really see the differences between threshold and 2016, then I think the radar chart as you have it is not doing very well.

    A line chart will do a better job of showing line 1, but any chart (with a strictly linear axis) is going to have trouble showing all 5 lines in a meaningful way. You have values ranging from 0.15 to 12 (about a 100x change). Again, it depends on exactly what you need to communicate with this chart, but, if the goal is to illustrate the differences between threshold and 2016, then I think a different chart will be needed. this panel chart is a common and effective way of dealing with data with very different ranges: http://peltiertech.com/Excel/ChartsH...venScales.html

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