Hello,

I'm trying to create a bar graph of a data set. I have values that are
inherently negative (issued checks and withdrawls). It's important
that these numbers are negative because they contribute to a total at
the end. I need to create a bar graph of this data (including the
total) but the checks and withdrawls end up being negative on the bar
graph but I want them to show as positive values in the graph. I can
change the data to absolute values instead, but that makes my total
inaccurate.


Is there a way to show all values as positive in a bar graph?

Sean

Hi Sean,

Yes, there is a way to show all values as positive in a bar graph, even if they are inherently negative. Here's how you can do it:

1. Select the data range that you want to create a bar graph for.
2. Click on the "Insert" tab in the ribbon at the top of the screen.
3. Click on the "Bar" chart type in the "Charts" section.
4. Choose the type of bar graph you want to create (e.g. clustered, stacked, etc.).
5. Your bar graph will now be created with negative values showing as negative bars. To change this, right-click on one of the negative bars and select "Format Data Series" from the drop-down menu.
6. In the "Format Data Series" pane that appears on the right-hand side of the screen, click on the "Fill & Line" tab.
7. Under "Fill & Line", click on the "Fill" option.
8. Select the "Solid fill" option and choose a color that you want to use for your bars.
9. Under "Border", select the "Solid line" option and choose a color that you want to use for your border.
10. Under "Effects", select the "Glow" option and choose a color that you want to use for your glow effect.
11. Click on the "OK" button to apply your formatting changes.
12. Your negative bars will now be displayed as positive bars with the color and effects that you chose.

check out the ABS function, or its "see also" choices in help

" wrote:

Hello,

I'm trying to create a bar graph of a data set. I have values that are
inherently negative (issued checks and withdrawls). It's important
that these numbers are negative because they contribute to a total at
the end. I need to create a bar graph of this data (including the
total) but the checks and withdrawls end up being negative on the bar
graph but I want them to show as positive values in the graph. I can
change the data to absolute values instead, but that makes my total
inaccurate.


Is there a way to show all values as positive in a bar graph?

Sean

p.s.: 2 results would require 2... results

" wrote:

Hello,

I'm trying to create a bar graph of a data set. I have values that are
inherently negative (issued checks and withdrawls). It's important
that these numbers are negative because they contribute to a total at
the end. I need to create a bar graph of this data (including the
total) but the checks and withdrawls end up being negative on the bar
graph but I want them to show as positive values in the graph. I can
change the data to absolute values instead, but that makes my total
inaccurate.


Is there a way to show all values as positive in a bar graph?

Sean

Thanks for your help, I decided to go with the ABS function. When I
did the SUM for the total I just used a negative sign in the sum...
=sum(-L71,L72,-L73)


It seems like a bit of an unusual way... in my opinion. I can't
imagine my instructor did this the same way I did.

Thanks again
Sean

Remember, you're asking the chart and the calculation to treat these numbers
differently. I usually create a separate chart data range using a formula,
so I can format it or lay it out differently.

In your case it's easy. In the range of chart data, you need just ABS with
links to the original data, and do the calculations on the original data.
You don't need to display the calculated chart data if you don't want.

- Jon
-------
Jon Peltier, Microsoft Excel MVP
Tutorials and Custom Solutions
Peltier Technical Services, Inc. - http://PeltierTech.com
_______


wrote in message
ups.com...
Thanks for your help, I decided to go with the ABS function. When I
did the SUM for the total I just used a negative sign in the sum...
=sum(-L71,L72,-L73)


It seems like a bit of an unusual way... in my opinion. I can't
imagine my instructor did this the same way I did.

Thanks again
Sean