Chapter 19: Learning Advanced Charting
465
Figure 19.27 shows two versions of 3-D column chart with two data series. The left chart is the
original, and the right chart shows the effect of changing the series order. To change the series
order, choose Chart Tools ➪ Design ➪ Data ➪ Select Data. In the Select Data Source dialog box,
select a series and use the arrow buttons to change its order.FIGURE 19.27A 3-D column chart, before and after changing the series order.
Fortunately, Excel allows you to change the viewing angle of 3-D charts. Doing so may reveal
portions of the chart that are otherwise hidden. To rotate a 3-D chart, choose Chart Tools ➪
Layout ➪ Background ➪ 3-D Rotation, which displays the 3-D Rotation tab of the Format Chart
Area dialog box. You can make your rotations and perspective changes by clicking the appropriate
controls.Figure 19.28 shows four different views of the same chart. As you can see, you can accidentally
distort the chart to make it virtually worthless in terms of visualizing information. If accuracy of
presentation is important, a 3-D chart is hardly ever the best choice.Creating combination charts
A combination chart is a single chart that consists of series that use different chart types. A combina-
tion chart may also include a second value axis. For example, you may have a chart that shows
both columns and lines, with two value axes. The value axis for the columns is on the left, and the
value axis for the line is on the right. A combination chart requires at least two data series.Creating a combination chart involves changing one or more of the data series to a different chart
type. Select the data series to change and then choose Chart Tools ➪ Design ➪ Type ➪ Change
Chart Type. In the Change Chart Type dialog box, select the chart type that you want to apply to
the selected series. Using a second Value Axis is optional.