Scatterpoot not using X values properly -- using relative ranking

[Eric_G]

I have created a scatterplot where the X value is to be one value (risk) and
the Y value is to be another (return). I've entered the X and Y value ranges
properly and the y value is being plotted correctly, BUT the X value is not
being plotted as the correct X value. Instead, the X value is being
interpreted as the relative ranking in the list. In other words,

# in list X value Y Value
1 12.2 13.7
2 10.7 11.3
etc.

The graph is currently plotting the values as (1,13.7), then (2,11.3) and
NOT with the correct X values as listed in the chart. I've checked the
ranges and there's nothing indicating that the graph should look to the
"relative position" for the x-axis value. What gives?

thanks,
Eric

[Bernard Liengme]

If you have 3 columns (i.e. the first column has 1,2,3), then Excel will
treat this as the x-values. To overcome this, select the x and y data before
making the chart.

If you have two columns, it sounds like you are making a Line chart because
when Excel sees two ranges with numbers it uses both as data series and uses
the ordinal values 1,2,3 ... for the category vales (x-values). This can be
avoided by removing the title at the top of the x-values.

Failing either of these, send me a sample file (get my email addy from my
website)
Tell me what version of Excel you are using
best wishes
--
Bernard Liengme
Microsoft Excel MVP
http://people.stfx.ca/bliengme

"Eric_G" <Er...@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:B48218C4-3AEB-4DE9...@microsoft.com...

[Tushar Mehta]

One possibility is that the X values are not numeric as Excel sees
them. In an empty cell in the first row with data enter
=ISNUMBER({x}) where {x} is the cell containing the x value. Copy
this down to cover all the rows with data. All the results should be
TRUE.

Another possibility is that you are using the Line Chart, which looks
very much like a XY Scatter Chart but the x values are category
values. If so, make sure you are really using a XY Scatter Chart.

Regards,

Tushar Mehta
Microsoft MVP Excel 2000-present
www.tushar-mehta.com
Excel and PowerPoint tutorials and add-ins

[Jon Peltier]

Did you make a line chart? It will plot the data incorrectly.

Are the values in the X column really numeric, or are they text that
looks numeric? It only takes one text value to mess it up, and Excel
will convert the whole X range into 1, 2, 3, etc.

- Jon
-------
Jon Peltier
Peltier Technical Services, Inc.
774-275-0064
http://peltiertech.com/

[James Silverton]

Eric_G wrote on Thu, 11 Mar 2010 09:45:01 -0800:

> # in list X value Y Value
> 1 12.2 13.7
> 2 10.7 11.3
> etc.

> The graph is currently plotting the values as (1,13.7), then
> (2,11.3) and NOT with the correct X values as listed in the
> chart. I've checked the ranges and there's nothing indicating
> that the graph should look to the "relative position" for the
> x-axis value. What gives?

I was initially intrigued by the term "scatterpoot" but I guess your
mail program, like mine, does not check Subject: lines :-)

--

James Silverton
Potomac, Maryland

Email, with obvious alterations: not.jim.silverton.at.verizon.not