How do I plot a range in a bar chart? I would like to list names on one axis
and years on the other. Then I want to plot their years of service.

For example:

If John Doe served from 2005 - 2007, I want the chart to show that range,
but not before or after.

Below John I have Jane Doe who served from 2001-2006.

The chart, then would have an overall range of 2001-2007.

Maybe a bar chart isn't the correct one (it will only "start" data at the
starting point - 2001).

To plot a range in a bar chart in Excel, you can use a stacked bar chart. Here are the steps:

1. Enter your data into Excel. In your case, you would have a list of names in one column, and their years of service in another column. For each person, you would have a start year and an end year.
   
2. Select your data and insert a stacked bar chart. To do this, go to the Insert tab on the ribbon, click on the Bar chart icon, and select the Stacked Bar chart type.
   
3. Your chart will now show each person's years of service as a separate bar. However, we want to show the range of years instead. To do this, right-click on one of the bars and select Format Data Series.
   
4. In the Format Data Series pane, go to the Fill & Line tab. Under Fill, select the Solid fill option and choose a color for the bar. Under Border, select the No line option.
   
5. Now go to the Series Options tab. Under Series Overlap, set the value to 100%. Under Gap Width, set the value to 0%.
   
6. Click on the OK button to close the Format Data Series pane. Your chart should now show each person's years of service as a range.
   
7. To adjust the axis labels, right-click on the horizontal axis and select Format Axis. In the Format Axis pane, go to the Axis Options tab. Under Axis Type, select the Text axis option. Under Bounds, set the Minimum value to the earliest year in your data and the Maximum value to the latest year in your data. Click on the Close button to apply the changes.
   

Your chart should now show each person's years of service as a range, with the names on the vertical axis and the years on the horizontal axis.

Maybe a Gantt chart might be more appropriate. Jon Peltier shows how
to construct one he

http://pubs.logicalexpressions.com/P...cle.asp?ID=343

Hope this helps.

Pete

On Dec 6, 12:06*am, kh wrote:
How do I plot a range in a bar chart? *I would like to list names on one axis
and years on the other. *Then I want to plot their years of service. *

For example:

If John Doe served from 2005 - 2007, I want the chart to show that range,
but not before or after.

Below John I have Jane Doe who served from 2001-2006. *

The chart, then would have an overall range of 2001-2007. *

Maybe a bar chart isn't the correct one (it will only "start" data at the
starting point - 2001).

Hi,

If you are using 2003 or earlier, you could select your data and click the
Chart Wizard, choose Custom Types, Floating Bar

--
If this helps, please click the Yes button

Cheers,
Shane Devenshire


"kh" wrote:

How do I plot a range in a bar chart? I would like to list names on one axis
and years on the other. Then I want to plot their years of service.

For example:

If John Doe served from 2005 - 2007, I want the chart to show that range,
but not before or after.

Below John I have Jane Doe who served from 2001-2006.

The chart, then would have an overall range of 2001-2007.

Maybe a bar chart isn't the correct one (it will only "start" data at the
starting point - 2001).