XY (Scatter) Chart Not Correct with First Column Labeled (79972)




This article was previously published under Q79972

SUMMARY

Microsoft Works for Windows does not create a true XY (scatter) chart if the first column of data on the spreadsheet is labeled. When the first column is labeled, the data is incorrectly used as the first data series. A true XY chart needs an X and Y coordinate for each point on the chart. By removing the first column label, the first column is used for the category (X) axis data and the second column is used for the first value (Y) axis data. This creates a true scatter chart by plotting the intersection of the X and Y values.

MORE INFORMATION

An example of spreadsheet columns before creating an XY chart: 
Correct              Incorrect
-------              ---------

|       | Y Data |    | X Data | Y Data |
|-------|--------|    |--------|--------|
|   1   |   12   |    |    1   |   12   |
|-------|--------|    |--------|--------|
|   3   |    4   |    |    3   |   4    |
|-------|--------|    |--------|--------|
|   5   |    1   |    |    5   |   1    |

Steps to Creating an XY Chart

  1. Highlight the range of cells containing the X series data, the Y series label, and the Y series data.
  2. On the tool bar, choose the Chart button.

    -or-

    From the Charts menu, choose Create New Chart.
  3. On the tool bar, choose the Scatter Chart button.

    -or-

    Front the Gallery menu, choose XY Scatter.
  4. Choose the style you want and choose OK.
To check if the XY chart has been created correctly, choose Series from the Edit menu. A correct XY chart will show the range for X axis data in the category (X) series and the range for Y axis data in the 1st series.

REFERENCES

"Microsoft Works for Windows User's Guide," pages 175-220, "Guide to Spreadsheet Charting"
Modification Type: Major Last Reviewed: 7/30/2001
Keywords: KB79972
©2002 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.