+ Reply to Thread
Results 1 to 7 of 7

Chart for profits of multiple companies in different time periods

  1. #1
    Registered User
    Join Date
    03-13-2011
    Location
    United States
    MS-Off Ver
    Excel 2010
    Posts
    3

    Chart for profits of multiple companies in different time periods

    Hello everyone!

    I have a problem with trying to create a chart that is also somewhat of a time line. My profit numbers are from this source: http://gamrconnect.vgchartz.com/thread.php?id=57802

    When I first enter in all of the numbers, Excel displays the data accurately in terms of profits and loses; however, the issue comes in when Excel only starts from 1981 with all companies and not in their rightful spots. Example: Instead of Sony's numbers beginning in 1996, they begin in 1981 and does not "fit" with an accurate time line.

    Is there a way to make the profits match their time variables?
    Attached Files Attached Files
    Last edited by DerrickRose; 03-15-2011 at 08:08 PM.

  2. #2
    Administrator 6StringJazzer's Avatar
    Join Date
    01-27-2010
    Location
    Tysons Corner, VA, USA
    MS-Off Ver
    MS365 Family 64-bit
    Posts
    24,532

    Re: Chart for profits of multiple companies in different time periods

    Welcome to the Forum!

    Let me give you a couple of quick pointers. First, this board allows attachments, within rather generous size limits. It's always helpful to attach your file if it does not contain sensitive data, otherwise we're kind of guessing what you did.

    For example, what chart type are you using? What does your data layout look like? I can't tell if you have a chart problem or a data layout problem.

    I suggest you put all the years in one column, then put the data for each company in its own column aligning with the appropriate corresponding years. Use a line chart. Let's say you have the years from 1980-2010 in A2:A32. Your chart sets up data series for B2:B32, C2:C32, etc., even if you don't have data for every company in every row. Blank cells will just be ignored for charting purposes.

    If you have each company separate with its years duplicated, rather than all data sharing the years in a single column, then I assume you are using a line chart but you need to use a scatter plot with line connectors. However, that data layout has problems and I'd go back to my suggestion above.
    Jeff
    | | |會 |會 |會 |會 | |:| | |會 |會
    Read the rules
    Use code tags to [code]enclose your code![/code]

  3. #3
    Forum Expert teylyn's Avatar
    Join Date
    10-28-2008
    Location
    New Zealand
    MS-Off Ver
    Excel 365 Insider Fast
    Posts
    11,372

    Re: Chart for profits of multiple companies in different time periods

    Hello,

    when you create a line chart with several data series that start in different rows, you need to include the same rows for each data series.

    Example:

    Company A data starts in row A2 for 1981
    company B data starts in row B6 for 1985
    Company C data starts in row C11 for 1990

    When you select the data for the chart, you need to start each series in row 2. If you select B6 downwards only for company B, then the data point for B6 (from year 1985) may end up aligned with the data point for A2 (from year 1981).

    If you need more detailed help, post a small data sample and your chart.

  4. #4
    Registered User
    Join Date
    03-13-2011
    Location
    United States
    MS-Off Ver
    Excel 2010
    Posts
    3

    Re: Chart for profits of multiple companies in different time periods

    I have attached it. I think I may have it fixed, but it probably can be improved upon. All I really did was formatted the empty cells to be "hidden".

  5. #5
    Forum Expert teylyn's Avatar
    Join Date
    10-28-2008
    Location
    New Zealand
    MS-Off Ver
    Excel 365 Insider Fast
    Posts
    11,372

    Re: Chart for profits of multiple companies in different time periods

    That looks good. What I would do is format the Y axis and set it to Horizontal axis crosses at -3000000000, so the X axis does not run through your lines.

    cheers,

  6. #6
    Registered User
    Join Date
    03-13-2011
    Location
    United States
    MS-Off Ver
    Excel 2010
    Posts
    3

    Re: Chart for profits of multiple companies in different time periods

    I'm not too adept at how to actually do that.. can you point out the options?

  7. #7
    Administrator 6StringJazzer's Avatar
    Join Date
    01-27-2010
    Location
    Tysons Corner, VA, USA
    MS-Off Ver
    MS365 Family 64-bit
    Posts
    24,532

    Re: Chart for profits of multiple companies in different time periods

    Quote Originally Posted by DerrickRose View Post
    I'm not too adept at how to actually do that.. can you point out the options?
    I use 2007 but I'll bet the menu sequence is the same. Right click on the Y axis, and select Format Axis. On the next dialog box, under Axis Options look near the bottom where it says Vertical Axis Crosses, and then you should be able to follow teylyn's advice from there.

+ Reply to Thread

Thread Information

Users Browsing this Thread

There are currently 1 users browsing this thread. (0 members and 1 guests)

Bookmarks

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts

Search Engine Friendly URLs by vBSEO 3.6.0 RC 1