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" wrote in message
...
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