Excel: Plotting Multiple Groups of X-Y Values on Chart

SUMMARY

For certain types of Microsoft Excel charts, several X-Y lines whose X values are independent of each other need to be plotted on the same graph. To plot X-Y lines whose X values are independent of each other (X1,Y1; X2,Y2; ...; Xn,Yn), follow these steps:

1. Select the first X-Y range. From the Edit menu, choose Copy.

2. From the File menu, choose New and select Chart. Click OK.

3. From the Edit menu, choose Paste Special and select Categories in First Column. Click OK.

4. From the Gallery menu, choose Scatter. The chart is now in the X-Y format for one line.

5. Switch back to the Worksheet and highlight the next X-Y range. From the Edit menu, choose Copy. Switch to the chart by selecting it from the Window menu.

6. From the Edit menu, choose Paste Special and select Categories in First Column. Click OK.

7. Repeat Steps 4 through 6 until all of the X-Y lines have been plotted on the Excel chart.