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Graph broken y-axis with 1 data series

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    Graph broken y-axis with 1 data series

    Hello,

    I've looked through the examples on the web about this but I still am stumped and would really appreciate any help!! What I need is pretty basic: to show the attached data series' with huge variations in number size graphically, with a 'break' in the graph to highlight the gap between the highest numbers and the lowest. Please see data attached (any tab), they are all essentially the same.

    Thank you!

    -Nroose
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    Forum Guru Andy Pope's Avatar
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    Re: Graph broken y-axis with 1 data series

    Why not use a Log Scale?

    Breaking the axis would not help with you data set as it has multiple data points spread across the range.
    Cheers
    Andy
    www.andypope.info

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    Re: Graph broken y-axis with 1 data series

    Hi Andy,

    Thank you very much for the reply. I suggested using a log scale but my boss wants me to present this data in a way that it accentuates the "gap" between the high values and the low values. I've seen the discussions from Jon Peltier about using panel charts but I simply cannot figure out how to apply that to this very simple data set. If you have any additional thoughts on the matter I would be eternally grateful!


    Thank you very much for your time and thoughts,

    Nick

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    Forum Guru Andy Pope's Avatar
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    Re: Graph broken y-axis with 1 data series

    The problem is at what point do you break the axis and for how much? With your data information will be lost in the gap.

    An alterative way to distort the information would be to use 2 y axis.
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    Re: Graph broken y-axis with 1 data series

    Thank you very much, Andy. I was trying to follow your tutorial on broken axes and had the same concern about where the actually break the data without losing information. So good to know that you agree that would be a concern. And I suppose this would similarly be a concern if using panel charts (I've seen Jon Peltier's tutorial on that but cannot follow it completely).

    Thanks so much for the graph you sent. I will propose this and hopefully my higher up's agree!

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