Generate a line (X/Y) graph from a single formula instead of a data set

**Jose Macieira** · 09-05-2013, 12:22 PM

I wondered if it is possible to generate a graph from a single formula, and how to set the range of the variable.

I have this formula: =IF(AM269<=1140;IF(AM269<=250;50;IF(AM269<=600;50+(AM269-250)*0.2;50+(600-250)*0.2+(AM269-600)*0.5));AM269-750)

The variable "AM269" should vary from 1 to 1100.

Of course, I can set a corresponding long data table, and then generate a graph from it, but could I generate a graph line (X/Y) by using only formulas?

Many thanks!

**RobertMika** · 09-05-2013, 08:24 PM

The result of your formula can be only one value so how can you generate a line?

**Jose Macieira** · 09-06-2013, 04:04 AM

Of course. You are right. To generate a line I should add (I do not know how) some sort of a condition where the variable "AM269" may vary (example: from 1 to 1000)
Thanks for your question

**MrShorty** · 09-06-2013, 09:06 AM

My thoughts:

1) The easiest way might be to get a different graphing program. I know many other, more robust graphing packages have an option for "plot this equation" preprogrammed in, making it very easy to graph equations.

2) However, having posted this in an Excel forum, I'm assuming you want to do this in Excel. IMO, the easiest way to plot anything in Excel (even equations) is to build a table of data points in columns in the spreadsheet. With the correct combination of relative and absolute references, it should take almost no time to build spreadsheet formulas for x and y, copy those down the desired number of rows, then plot those data. In your case, this might look like:

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3) If, for some reason, you feel you cannot have the data calculated in the spreadsheet, then you will have to find/program a VBA routine that will build the x and y arrays, then have your code add those arrays to the chart.

IMO, option 2 is so much easier than option 3, that I do not know why anyone would bother with 3. If you feel you must try something in VBA, run your query through this and other Excel site's search engines, because I know I have seen these kind of VBA solutions proposed.