Chapter 20: Getting Started with Excel Charts
20
Using a radar chart to show seasonal sales may be an interesting approach, but it’s certainly
not the best chart type. As you can see, the stacked bar chart on the right shows the infor-
mation much more clearly.Surface charts
Surface charts display two or more data series on a surface. As Figure 20.31 shows, these
charts can be quite interesting. Unlike other charts, Excel uses color to distinguish values,
not to distinguish the data series. The number of colors used is determined by the major
unit scale setting for the value axis. Each color corresponds to one major unit.A surface chart does not plot 3-D data points. The series axis for a surface chart, as with all other 3-D charts, is a
category axis—not a value axis. In other words, if you have data that is represented by x, y, and z coordinates, it can’t
be plotted accurately on a surface chart unless the x and y values are equally spaced.
Bubble charts
Think of a bubble chart as an XY chart that can display an additional data series, which
is represented by the size of the bubbles. As with an XY chart, both axes are value axes.
(There is no category axis.)Figure 20.32 shows an example of a bubble chart that depicts the results of a weight-loss
program. The horizontal value axis represents the original weight, the vertical value axis
shows the number of weeks in the program, and the size of the bubbles represents the
amount of weight lost.Stock charts
Stock charts are most useful for displaying stock-market information. These charts require
three to five data series, depending on the subtype.Figure 20.33 shows an example of each of the four stock chart types. The two charts on the
bottom display the trade volume and use two value axes. The daily volume, represented by
columns, uses the axis on the left. The up-bars, sometimes referred to as candlesticks, are
the vertical lines that depict the difference between the opening and closing price. A black
up-bar indicates that the closing price was lower than the opening price.Stock charts aren’t just for stock price data. Figure 20.34 shows a stock chart that depicts
the high, low, and average temperatures for each day in May. This is a high-low-close chart.