How do I shade a region between two selected points on the x axis?
In a line graph of monthly unemployment rates over many years, economists
like to shade a region between 2 selected months (x axis) in order to denote a recsession. How can this be done in an Excel chart? |
How do I shade a region between two selected points on the x axis?
Hello:
I am sure that someone very cleaver will tell you there is an automated way to do this. But given the irregular nature of the data, and not frequently the easiest way to do it would be to dislay the drawing toolbar. Now choose the rectangle shape and draw the area you want high lighted. Once you have the area you want covered, right click the rectangle and choose format autoshape and set the transparency to about 50%, this depends on the color you choose and whether you will be printing or only using a display. I find sometimes it is best to have no line or times a line works well. You can do other areas the same way. You can vary the colors and transparency setting to highlight what you want. If you click the graph before you the box it wil stay the graph, if you draw the box with clicking the graph the box is independent of the graph. I frequently like this better because you have greater control. If you want them to stay together just shift click them and choose group from the draw menu. Pieter Vandenberg cmc14 wrote: : In a line graph of monthly unemployment rates over many years, economists : like to shade a region between 2 selected months (x axis) in order to denote : a recsession. How can this be done in an Excel chart? |
How do I shade a region between two selected points on the xaxis?
Hi,
If you x axis is a category axis then the simple way is to add another series and plot it as a column chart. You will need to set the maximum value of the Y axis and use the same value for your column series data. Place the value against each data point you want shading. Format the column series to have a Gap Width of zero, this option is on the Series Option of the format dialog. If the dates are being plotted as true dates then you could use a second data series plotted as an area chart. This will require some addition date points in order to make the end of the plot vertical. Cheers Andy cmc14 wrote: In a line graph of monthly unemployment rates over many years, economists like to shade a region between 2 selected months (x axis) in order to denote a recsession. How can this be done in an Excel chart? -- Andy Pope, Microsoft MVP - Excel http://www.andypope.info |
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