How can I select data for x-value when plotting a graph on Mac?

Question

Hi,

I am using Microsoft Excel for Mac (version 16.51) and I am trying to insert a second series of data into an excel graph. However, there do not seem to be a way to select a new series of x-value .

Below is the screenshot I took from my workbook:

As can be seen, only Y values are displayed (and thus can be edited).

However, if I open a drawn graph for this purpose from windows (so the graph is constructed from a Windows computer and sent to Mac), I can see the x value selection appears (between Name and Y values):

I am wondering if there is a way to ask my Mac to directly give me the option to set x values (so display the second window instead of the first window).

I would need this to draw combo graph and make secondary axis. And as I need to do this over an exam, no template is allowed (so I cannot keep the windows one as a template and adapt it in exam). I would need to draw it from my computer directly during the exam.

I would really appreciate it if somebody could help me out on this very specific issue. Thanks a lot in advance!

Best,

Alex

Answer 1

Hi Hans,

Thank you very much for the reply.

The graph from windows is a combo of one line and one scatter (with smooth line). But I was able to see and set x values for both series in the same plot. In Excel for Windows, it seems that I am able to define x values for all the graph types.

With your reply and the hints, I am now able to create a small work around to solve the issue:

I first draw scatter plots (as you mentioned, x value only goes with scatter and bubble), where I am allowed to set x values.

Then I set it as combo (excel for Mac also does not offer customised combo option, so I select one of the three options given, and then select the series I want to change the chart type of and change it to my needs).

Since now the box for x values would not disappear after changing the chart type, I can do whatever I want with it.

And this solves my problem perfectly. Thank you a lot for the additional information and the very fast response!

Best regards,

Alex

Answer 2

It depends on the chart type.

For an XY Scatter chart or Bubble chart. you can specify the x-values for each series separately.

For any other type of chart, you can only specify the x-values for the chart as a whole.

So I suspect that the chart you got from Windows is an XY Scatter chart or a Bubble chart.