Stacked bar with Z axis for years

The image below shows what I'm trying to achieve

Graphically plot pub sales
- on a stacked bar chart split between "Wet" and "Dry" on the Y-axis
- by quarter (X=axis)
- by year (Z-axis)

Does anyone know a way to create this with standard Excel?

Thank you.

PaulsChart.jpg

Only way is by using multiple charts and overlaying them. One for each year.

But I would suggest you chose a different design so you can see the actual data without the distraction or distortion of 3d.

Thanks Andy

To prevent front chart hiding the one behind, how do you render "empty areas" of a chart "transparent"?

or are you suggesting one chart above the other?

I could see turning that into a "clustered and stacked" column chart -- which is mostly just a regular stacked column chart with the data arranged correctly in the spreadsheet. Tutorial here: http://peltiertech.com/clustered-sta...mn-bar-charts/

Thank you MrShorty for some interesting food for thought - that's a useful link.

I can see how it could work as follows:

- histogram style bars for total sales by quarter by year (as per original picture excluding product split)
- one line per annum for "dry" sales by quarter
- one line per annum for "wet" sales by quarter

Due to their relative values, the "dry " and "wet" sales lines would be unlikely to cross were it not for the desire to make this a 3D chart - this will make the wet and dry lines cross even though the actual values do not overlap! (We can't win them all!)

A separate chart for each year, making their backgrounds transparent and overlaying them produced the required look.
Then using Excel's "camera" to take a combo picture, putting that picture on the front sheet with dropdown choices yielded the interactive chart I wanted.
As can be seen below, I still have some work to do to improve the choice of colours!
thank you both

Paul5.jpg

Kev - I am glad you found a solution, but you should be aware that making comparisons using 3D charts can be problematic because the perspective somewhat distorts the viewer's ability to take correct readings from the chart. It is best to avoid 3D charts altogether.

If that takes care of your original question, please select Thread Tools from the menu link above and mark this thread as SOLVED. Thanks.

What a killjoy you are @AliGW

I'm also an expert in the presentation of data.

I happen to agree with you - 3D generally adds nothing - and in this case I would opt for 3 separate charts
But some people are given exactly what they request to keep them quiet!

Oh, I know: the client gets what the client wants. Form over substance, sadly.