How to make line graph with categories on Y-axis

**ITPro** · 06-26-2014, 09:24 AM

Hello,

I have been given a task to create a line graph who has 10 categories and each category has 5 different values. I need to plot a line graph, so that those 10 categories should appear on the Y-axis instead of X-axis.

I am using Excel 2010.

I would greatly appreciate any help with this.

Many thanks!

**MrShorty** · 06-26-2014, 09:33 AM

See if this tutorial helps: http://peltiertech.com/Excel/Charts/Y_CategoryAxis.html

**ITPro** · 06-26-2014, 09:42 AM

Thanks MrShorty.
Yes, I did play around that tutorial but I guess it is for a single value against a category...in my case I have five values per category.

**MrShorty** · 06-26-2014, 10:37 AM

I must be missing something, then. There is nothing I can see in that tutorial that should limit you to a single value per category. Can you explain why having 5 values per category caused your chart to fail? Especially with charting, a picture/sketch along with some sample data can be useful -- Could you upload a sampling of what you are trying to do?

**ITPro** · 06-27-2014, 03:26 AM

Please see the attached sample. I want to make a similar graph. I would appreciate any work around. many thanks!

sample.jpg

**MrShorty** · 06-27-2014, 09:13 AM

Did you work through Jon's tutorial and understand it? Jon's tutorial illustrates the procedure for a single data series. Your chart should follow the same procedure, extended to include multiple data series -- one data series for the red dots, a second data series for the yellow dots, and a third data series (with appropriate gaps in it) to add the lines connecting the red and yellow dots.

**ITPro** · 06-27-2014, 09:28 AM

Thank you MrShorty, I did try to expand it to the multiple categories but somehow it did not work for me. I did not get the straight lines (as you can see in the sample I sent) and secondly it was not looking accurate.

I am attaching the Sample file of that tutorial and was wondering if you could just create a few categories for me, so that I get a better idea. It is a huge ask but please do only if you have time, otherwise I will look into it again.

Y_CategoryAxis.xls

Many thanks!

**MrShorty** · 06-27-2014, 10:50 AM

I added one data series to chart 5 for you, and started the connecting lines data series.

To add a data series, follow instructions here: http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/ex...spx?CTT=1#BM2a Note that with an XY scatter chart, you will need to select both the desired Y values and the desired X values. Format each data series as desired (though I would format these as markers without lines).

I have also started building the range that I would use for adding the lines. You can finish building this list, then add this data series to the chart in the same fashion.