offset scatter plot points
 

This is for Excel 2007 charts---however I'm open to other (free)
user-friendly (ie non-tech savvy) programs

I have three groups/series of data points I would like to plot on a scatter
chart. The data are growth rates from different fish groups sampled on the
same date. My problem comes in with all the points over-lap along the X-axis
(day sampled). I would like the scatter points of each group to be offset,
like in a bar graph where there are three columns. I know I can go in a
change the value for day sampled in each group to slightly off-set the
points, but just wondering if there is another way to do this without
tinkering with the data.

Example of data (but many more replicates per day)
Group Growth DaySampled
1 1.47 7
1 0.86 14
1 1.77 21
2 1.28 7
2 0.75 14
2 2,01 21
3 0.05 7
3 0.15 14
3 0.50 21

offset scatter plot points
 

Fish Girl (if I may be so familiar!)
Why not arrange you data like this
Day Group 1 Group 2 Group 3
7 1.47 1.28 0.05
14 0.86 0.75 0.15
21 1.77 2.01 0.5
28 2.05 2.16 0.55

I have added anther date to show how the table expands
Now move an XY (scatter) chart from this
If you have only 3 days worth of data, make sure to get Excel to use Data
Series in columns
If you select all the data and use Insert | Table before you make the chart,
then the chart will automatically add new data as you type it into the table
(the chart will be 'dynamic')
If you email me directly (get email address from my website) I would be
happy to send you a sample file
best wishes
--
Bernard V Liengme
Microsoft Excel MVP
http://people.stfx.ca/bliengme
remove caps from email


"Fish girl" <Fish wrote in message
...
This is for Excel 2007 charts---however I'm open to other (free)
user-friendly (ie non-tech savvy) programs

I have three groups/series of data points I would like to plot on a
scatter
chart. The data are growth rates from different fish groups sampled on
the
same date. My problem comes in with all the points over-lap along the
X-axis
(day sampled). I would like the scatter points of each group to be
offset,
like in a bar graph where there are three columns. I know I can go in a
change the value for day sampled in each group to slightly off-set the
points, but just wondering if there is another way to do this without
tinkering with the data.

Example of data (but many more replicates per day)
Group Growth DaySampled
1 1.47 7
1 0.86 14
1 1.77 21
2 1.28 7
2 0.75 14
2 2,01 21
3 0.05 7
3 0.15 14
3 0.50 21