Excel: Creating Scatter Charts with Multiple X Ranges

ID: Q77188

The information in this article applies to:

Microsoft Excel for Windows, versions 2.1, 3.0, 4.0
Microsoft Excel for the Macintosh, versions 1.5, 2.2, 3.0, 4.0
Microsoft Excel for OS/2, versions 2.2 and 3.0

SUMMARY

The usual chart series for an XY Scatter Chart has a range of Y Values mapped to a range of X Categories. If there are more than two series, the chart has multiple Y ranges mapped to a single range of X values.

To create a Scatter chart with one range of Y values mapped to multiple ranges of X categories in Microsoft Excel version 3.0 or 4.0, follow these steps:

Make sure the single range of cells you use for Y Values is after the cells for your X Categories (to the right, if your values are in columns; below, if your values are in rows).

Select one X range and the Y range. Press COMMAND+Select (on the Macintosh) or press CTRL (on an IBM-compatible computer) if the areas are not contiguous.

From the File menu, choose New and select the Chart option.

Select the second X range and the same Y range. From the Edit menu, choose Copy.

Click the the chart window to activate it. From the Edit menu, choose Paste Special.

Select Values (Y) in Columns and Categories (X values) in First Column options and click OK.

Repeat steps 4 and 5 for each additional series.

In Microsoft Excel versions prior to 3.0, it is not possible to copy discontinuous areas. To create scatter charts with multiple X ranges, follow these steps:

Create new columns or rows next to each column of X values.

Copy and Paste the same Y values into the blank columns to the left of each column of X values.

Follow steps 2 through 7 above, but do not try to select values as discontinuous ranges.

Additional query words: 1.5 2.1 2.20 3.0


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Last Reviewed: March 22, 1999