Label log axes with "ten to the power" ??
Lindsay Whitton
I know how to plot a log base 10 scale axis, and to label
the ticks with scientific notation (eg 1.00E+4, 1.00E+5,
and so on). However, as a scientist who has published
lots of graphs with log scales, I (and all of my
colleagues) prefer to label the ticks with "base plus
exponent" (ten to the power four, ten to the power 5, and
so on) where the exponent is superscripted. In most
graphing programs (eg Origin, Sigmaplot) this is a one-
click job. However, I don't see how to do it in Excel. I
have tried to add a "dummy" series, and I can make the
text in the worksheet cells look OK (in other words, in
the "ten to the power four" example, in the worksheet
cell, the 4 shows as a superscript) but when I use XY
labeler to label the axis, the "4" reverts to normal text
(in other words, the tick label looks like "one hundred
and four"). Can anyone tell me how to label log axes in
this way? (Surely Microsoft could include this as one of
the labeling options....? )
John Walkenbach
the labels, then click on a single label to select it. Highlight the last
character and press Ctrl+1 to bring up the Format dialog box. Select the
Superscript checkbox. Repeat for each label. :(
Apparently, Rob Bovey's chart labeler program is not designed to transfer
individual character formatting. I have a similar utility, and mine works
just like Rob's. I'll keep that in mind for the next update.
If you do this sort of thing on a regular basis, it would not be to
difficult to write a macro that loops through the labels an applies
superscript formatting to the last character. Maybe someone already has such
a macro. Jon??
John Walkenbach
For Excel tips, macros, & downloads...
http://j-walk.com/ss
"Lindsay Whitton" <lwhi...@scripps.edu> wrote in message
news:82ca01c20831$93b5f370$95e62ecf@tkmsftngxs02...
Lindsay Whitton
I tried what you suggested. When I click on a single
label (a label generated with Rob Bovey's utility) I can
move the label, but can't directly modify it. Instead, I
have to "re-enter" all of the text of the label (e.g. by
entering "104"), then select the "4", and superscript it.
That works - so again, thanks. However, it's cumbersome.
Don't worry about the macro - because sometimes I'd want
to superscript the last character (10 to the 4);
sometimes the last two characters (10 to the minus 4) and
sometimes the last three characters (10 to the minus 10).
I think I'll just have to stick with Sigmaplot. I am
amazed that, after all these years, Microsoft hasn't
built better charting into Office. I complained back in
1995 about the absence of "ten to the power" and was told
that my suggestion would be passed along to the
developers. Hmmmm.
All the best
Lindsay
lwhi...@scripps.edu
>.
>
John Walkenbach
labels.
I agree that enhancements to Excel's charting feature have been lacking. For
some reason, MS seems to add new features that, by and large, cause people
to try to figure out how to turn them off!
-John
"Lindsay Whitton" <lwhi...@scripps.edu> wrote in message
news:a42a01c208bb$5e7c5bb0$39ef2ecf@TKMSFTNGXA08...
Jon Peltier
You'll be superscripting all but the first two digits, right? Then you can
use a Right(string, len(string)-2) or a Mid(String, 3, len(string)-2)
approach. Shouldn't be too hard to write a macro. I answered this same
question last month, but I don't think I posted any code. I can't find my old
posting, and right now I don't feel like googling.
I fear that MS is afraid to make too complete an overhaul to the charting
engine, because that would make the new version of Excel highly incompatible
with the older versions, and nobody will want to upgrade.
- Jon
_______
In article <a42a01c208bb$5e7c5bb0$39ef2ecf@TKMSFTNGXA08>, lwhi...@scripps.edu
says...
Lindsay Whitton
than "last n"...it's a pity MS won't overhaul their
charting in Excel & other Office programs....
>>>> have tried to add a "dummy" series, andÍ{ wÀ È ´Á?
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