Creating a graph
 

I am trying to create a line graph but want to plot the points myself
without using any data. Can this be done? If so, how?

Thanks
John

Creating a graph
 

John,
You could perhaps start with any old chart (X-Y scatter would be the
best) that has the same number of data points as the number of points
you are wanting to plot, then click and drag each of those point to
where you want them plotted. When you click on a marker it can be
dragged after it changes to an up/down/left/right arrow. When you are
dragging up or down the y value is shown in a box that pops up.
Similarly the x value when dragging left or right. You should also see
a line move along the y axis during up/down dragging. Similarly, along
the x axis during left/right dragging.
The values in the cells (source data) change accordingly.
Hope this is useful,even though I really don't know why you would want
to do it this way.
Ken Johnson

Creating a graph
 

"Ken Johnson" wrote in message
ups.com...
John,
You could perhaps start with any old chart (X-Y scatter would be the
best) that has the same number of data points as the number of points
you are wanting to plot, then click and drag each of those point to
where you want them plotted. When you click on a marker it can be
dragged after it changes to an up/down/left/right arrow. When you are
dragging up or down the y value is shown in a box that pops up.
Similarly the x value when dragging left or right. You should also see
a line move along the y axis during up/down dragging. Similarly, along
the x axis during left/right dragging.
The values in the cells (source data) change accordingly.
Hope this is useful,even though I really don't know why you would want
to do it this way.
Ken Johnson


Thanks for the reply.

The reason for this is my wife is at college, doing a course, she hasn't
really sussed computers yet nor have I (excel). She has a series of data to
input, put can't figure out how to arrange it in excel so that the chart
falls into place. I figured it would be better doing a custom graph, with
custom data points.

Creating a graph
 

John,
I just type a heading for the x values in a suitable column and a
heading for the y values in the next column to the right.
Type in all the x values in the cells below the x value heading and
similarly for the y values.
Then select this block of cells then click on the Chart Wizard. Work
your way through all of the steps to achieve the desired chart. I
strongly recommend using the X-Y scatter chart. I never use Excel's
line chart. If your x values go 1,2,3,5,6 instead of 1,2,3,4,5,6 it
will put the 5 right next to the 3 instead of throwing in a 4 ie the
axis is not evenly subdivided.
Hope this helps
Ken Johnson

Creating a graph
 

John,
Ignore the bit about unevenly subdivided axis. I was just fiddling
around with the line chart on Excel, it just doesn't plot (x,y) data
points, it gives you two lines instead of one. X-Y scatter chart should
solve your problem.
Ken Johnson