using line graphs to show trends

**mwn** · 10-19-2009, 08:05 PM

Hi,
I am trying to show some trends, from data taken on a monthly basis.
The attached spreadsheet is an example of what I have:
The first two columns show data for Month1. The next two columns show data for the last 2 months (Month1&2). I was thinking of using a line graph, and showing Month1 and Month1&2 on the X axis. At time Month1, I'd have 4 different data points, for hw, sw, fpga and chip. At time Month1&2, I'd show the cumulative data for those same 4 categories. Over a period of time, we could see whether one area or another (hw, sw) keeps getting worse.

How can I do this via pivot table?

Thanks,
Mike

**Andy Pope** · 10-20-2009, 04:29 AM

You don't need to double up on the data, just add a month field.

With the table set the Value field setting to be a running total of Month

**mwn** · 10-21-2009, 01:21 PM

Thanks Andy. That did the trick.

One other question - how do I get all areas to start at 0, at time 0? In the spreadsheet you attached, the first values show up at 'Month1'. I'd like the lines to start at the intersection of the X and Y lines, at time 0. How can that be done?

Mike

**Andy Pope** · 10-22-2009, 03:59 AM

If you want Month zero then you need to add Month zero data to the pivot data source.

If you want the lines to start at the Y axis rather than in the middle of a category then format the X axis to be on Tick Marks.