XL: How to Insert Multiple Series in an XY (Scatter) Chart

ID: Q124575

The information in this article applies to:

SUMMARY

When you add a second series to an xy (scatter) chart, the new values will be added with respect to the same x axis values as the first series. In order to add a second series to the chart using unrelated x-axis values, the additional series x values range must be added after you plot the chart.

MORE INFORMATION

To add a second series to an xy (scatter) chart that uses a different set of x values, use either of the methods below.

NOTE: Both of the following methods use the sample data below. To use this data, enter it in a worksheet.

Sample Data

   A1: 1     B1: 5     C1: -1     D1: -5
   A2: 2     B2: 6     C2: -2     D2: -6
   A3: 3     B3: 4     C3: -3     D3: -8
   A4: 4     B4: 2     C4: -4     D4: -5
   A5: 5     B5: 5     C5: -5     D5: -1

Method 1:

          a. Select the range A1:B5, and in the ChartWizard, select the
             following  options:

              - In step 1 of 4, choose Next.

              - In Step 2 of 4, choose XY (Scatter), and then choose Next.

              - In Step 3 of 4, choose type 2, and then choose Next.

              - In step 4 of 4, choose Data Series In Columns: use first 1
                column(s) for X Data, first 0 row(s) for Legend Text.
                Choose the Finish button.

          b. Double-click the chart to open it and size the chart to full
             screen.

          c. From the Chart menu, choose Edit Series, and select New
             Series.

          d. In the X Values field, replace the cell references with the
             range for the new X Value series. In the Y Values field, add
             the Y Values cell references for the new Y Series, and click
             OK.

          e. Repeat steps c and d for each series you want to add.

Method 2:

          a. Select cells A1:B5,D1:D5 and create a chart using the
             ChartWizard. (Note the range is a nonadjacent selection that
             you can select by pressing the CTRL key and selecting the
             different cell ranges.)

          b. In the ChartWizard, do the following:

              - In Step 1 of 4, choose Next.

              - In Step 2 of 4, choose XY(Scatter), and then choose Next.

              - In Step 3 of 4, choose type 2, and then choose Next.

              - In Step 4 of 4, choose Data Series in Columns

              - Use first 1 column(s) for X Data-Use first 0 row(s) for
                Legend Text

              - Choose the Finish button.

          c. Double-click the chart to open then select the line in the
             chart for the second series (the name box indicator should
             indicate S2). From the Chart menu, choose Edit Series, and
             select Data Series.

          d. Replace the X Values reference with the new x-axis reference
             for the second series, and choose OK. (In this example, the
             correct reference would be C1:C5.)

REFERENCES

For more information about adding a new series, choose the Search button in Help, and type:

   series and data and chart and adding

Additional query words: 4.00
Keywords          : xlchart 
Version           : WINDOWS: 4.0,4.0a; MACINTOSH: 4.0
Platform          : MACINTOSH WINDOWS
Issue type        : kbhowto

Last Reviewed: February 5, 1998