Creating a Line Graph with vastly different range of numbers
So, first post. I am pretty basic when it comes to excel knowledge. I am trying to compare three sets of data from 2010-2015, which is total personal income. However it is comparing a State County, a State, and the entire Country. This means the numbers are vastly different so one line would be smushed into the bottom.
Attached is the dataset, I am working on the first sheet. Any help would be appreciated
Hi -
Go ahead and graph your data (presumably years along the X Axis and Dollars on the Y-Axis). Then right-click on the Y Axis labels and select Format Axis. Toward the bottom of the Axis Options window, click the Logarithmic Scale checkbox. Base 10 is the default. This will set each order of magnitude to an equal distance on the Y-Axis. for Example, $1, $10, $1000, $10,000 are all equally spaced. This will pull your data much closer together.
Hope that helps!
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That just makes my data straight lines, does not really show a curve of any sort, is that the only opition?Originally Posted by loginjmor
It certainly is not the only option, but it is a common, first option -- especially for audiences that know how to read logarithmic scales.
If you like a panel chart, here's a tutorial for building a panel chart: http://peltiertech.com/Excel/ChartsH...venScales.html
I like a lot of Jon's philosophies about charting, and he is not fond of secondary axes, but one could conceivably chart some of the series on the primary axis, and plot others on the secondary axis. As long as you can make it as clear as possible which data series belong to which axis, that could work.
Very interesting article MrShorty! That's a clever approach to graphing disparate data.
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