Disjointed timeline (2002)

[andrewgibsonsw]

I've created an area chart based on a column of dates, column A, and in columns B, C and D I have different sales figures. So for example, sales figures in column B may run through to 1st June and more figures occur from 2nd June starting in column C, i.e. starting in the next column across. Anyway, when the first series ends the area drops to zero on the following date. I want the first series to stop (drop to zero) straight-away, and NOT continue overlapping the next series. I hope this makes some sense?! Anyone know if this is possible? Andy.

[sdckapr]

I am not clear what you are after.

Could you provide an small example dataset and some clarification.

Steve

[yoyophil]

Without an example it it difficult to understand exactly what you are looking for. None-the-less...I believe that on an area chart Excel takes and plots the number/value for the time increment. You are saying you want excel to plot the value and also zero/nothing (drop to zero) all in the same time frame. I don't think that can be done using the area chart.
I have attached a file which plots values across a time frame of ten days using the area chart and also a column chart which was set to a gap width of zero. Maybe this will work for what you need.

yoyoPHIL

[sdckapr]

<hr>I don't think that can be done using the area chart.<hr>

Yes, it can be done with an area chart, if the scale is considered a time scale AND you also set up your data to duplicate those times:
1 for the "high value" and 1 for the "zero value"

See my modification to your dataset as a demo.

Steve

[yoyophil]

Steve;

I believe you will get a glitch when it's done that way. If you were to have a day, say Jun-03 that is 0, then Jun-04 is a positive value, then Jun-05 is a 0 again, plotting the positive value will surely entail losing the drop to zero feature. The way I see around this is instead of a high-low entry, try a in-constant-out set up. See my reworked attachment.
I used your thinking to create formulas that look at the results and select needed values for the in and out points with the constant being the dates value. With this set-up we at least get a line plotted for positive results which have a 0 before and after them.

That said, I can't believe I spent so much time on this puzzle when the original poster hasn't even replied back. Always like your work Steve. Thanks

yoyoPHIL

[sdckapr]

<P ID="edit" class=small>(Edited by sdckapr on 17-Jun-04 04:43. Added PS)</P>There are "workarounds" but it gets much more complicated since you have to work in the "half-days" which the category does not really allow.

If this has become a question that you really need an answer to let me know what you have and what you want to make from it and I will try to work up something.

Otherwise I will wait and see what the original poster had in mind.

Steve
PS if this is really an issue a column chart is more what you want. In a column chart, each day has a width. In the area chart, the day does not have a single value, but a range of values that changes throughout the day.

If you want to use the area, you need to give the value for the "start of the day" and the "end of the day" (can be calculated: eg: if one assumes that the "given values" for the day is for something like the midpoint of the day (noon). So then you could use the average of the 2 midpoints to get the "midnight point". (if this is what you are after.)