Gridlines make it easier to read and understand the values. Even though there is plenty of space between the chart wall and the axis to show even the longest. They extend across the plot area of the chart. I have a Calc bar chart with long labels for the x-axis. Gridlines - These can either be Horizontal or Vertical lines depending on the selected chart type.

Chart Title - It describes the aim and contents of the chart.

Legend - It depicts the colours, patterns or symbols assigned to the data series.

It contains the actual chart itself, and includes plotted data, data series, category, and value axis.

Plot Area - Plot area is a window within the Chart area.

In the dialogue box that appears, click on ‘Line Graph’.

Category Name - Category names are the labels, which are displayed on the X and Y-axis. Here’s how to draw a line graph: Select the data, including the labels.

If there are multiple data series in the chart, each will have a different colour or style.

Data Series - Data series are the bars, slices or other elements that show the data values.

Value Axis - Value axis or Y-axis is the vertical axis used to plot the values.

Category Axis - Category axis or X-axis is the horizontal axis of a chart.

Chart Area - Chart area includes all the area and objects in the chart.

Essentially seems to have much the same advantages as R. I have used it one or two times and it produces some nice graphs.Ī third choice is Python a programming language with impressive graphing capabilities (which may be base on gnuplot). This provides good data manipulation options plus excellent publication quality graphics.Ī stand-alone graphing package is Gnuplot. My personal preference would be the stats and graphics package R with the ggplot2 package since I use it regularly. Spreadsheet graphs are pretty crappy for anything sophisticated. I have never run into the problem myself but I have seen demos of it and how to deal with the issue. Find the green icon with the 'x' over the spreadsheet either in your control panel or by searching your applications for 'Excel.' You can then open an existing spreadsheet file or create a new one by pressing the 'New' option. I think you are right I man need to go to a different package. To graph functions in Excel, first, open the program on your computer or device. An xy scatter with line looks like a ball of yarn instead of a mountain range that a bar chart looks like.

I cannot use an XY because it is treated like a xy scatter. Curtplatt wrote:thanks for the thoughtful response!!!

Openoffice calc graph x axis labels