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  Web http://www.klippert.com


  Wednesday, December 30, 2009 – Permalink –

Chart Null Data Gaps

Fill in the spaces



When creating a chart, data can sometimes be missing. You have a choice of leaving the cells empty or making them zero.

By default, an empty cell will leave gaps in your graph. Zero entries will send a line graph down to the base line.

One way to force Excel to interpolate the data is to enter the function =NA() in the empty cells.

Another way is to go to Tools>Options and choose the Chart tab.

Pick how you want data plotted - with gaps, as zero, or interpolated.






Microsoft also has this suggestion:

Gaps between the dates
"If the datasheet data for the category axis contains date number formatting, Microsoft Graph automatically uses a special type of axis in your chart called a time-scale axis.
A time-scale axis shows a blank category for dates for which you have no data. If you do not want to see these gaps — for example, if you have data for 1-Jan, 15-Jan, 3-Feb, 12-Feb, and 2-Mar, and you want to plot the days next to each other - you can change the time-scale axis to a standard category axis.
On the Chart menu, click Chart Options, click the Axes tab, and then click Category under Category (X) axis."

Note, For 2007+, on the Design tab, click Select Data in the Data area, and then click Hidden and Empty Cells on the Select Data dialog box.




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<Doug Klippert@ 3:18 AM

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  Wednesday, December 09, 2009 – Permalink –

Sparklines

Quick graphic reinforcement


A graph or chart can give the reader a visual representation of a great deal of data. Concepts or results can be more easily grasped by a well formatted graphic.

Charts, usually, take up more space in a document than is absolutely required.

Edward Tufte has come up with the concept of Sparklines (Sparklines:Intense, Word-sized Graphics)
.
These are small graphs about the same height and width as common words. They are not out of place in the text of a document.

Sparklines give the reader a snapshot of the data that quickly supports the material being discussed.



See:
Bisantz Sparklines

The Sparkmaker can create Sparklines for Word, Excel, or PowerPoint. They can also be produced in HTML.




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<Doug Klippert@ 3:27 AM

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  Tuesday, August 25, 2009 – Permalink –

Charting Tools

Sample graphs


Ed Ferrero has a number of sample Excel charts and tools.

One he calls a Wind Rose:


How to build a wind rose. Converts compass directions to degrees and radians, and plots a nice-looking chart.



Ferrero Consulting Pty Ltd:
EdFerrero.com/Charting




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<Doug Klippert@ 3:05 AM

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  Sunday, July 12, 2009 – Permalink –

Plain Numbers

I'd Like to Make It Clear


Plain Figures is a method of transforming statistical and financial data into figures, tables and graphs that people readily understand.

Have you ever:
  • squinted your eyes trying to see the numbers in a PowerPoint presentation?

  • scratched your head at a charity leaflet with an indecipherable pie chart titled 'Where your donation goes' ... and set it aside?

  • missed discussion at a meeting because you were busy trying to figure out the figures?

  • put aside a graph or table, thinking "I'm not good with numbers."?

Then you know how important the clear display of numerical information can be. Common problems People have trouble using numerical information for many reasons. Most commonly, authors don't know:
  • what to include: when unsure what numbers are important, people frequently display them all, overpowering the reader with irrelevance.

  • which format to use: the choice between text and table, table and chart, bar and pie.

  • how to use the technology effectively: computer software generates graphs easily, but the results hide your point behind incomprehensible chartjunk.

  • how to explain the information: selecting the right words for titles, columns and captions.

Plain Figures is a partnership between Sally Bigwood, located in Wakefield, Yorkshire, UK, and Melissa Spore, who divides her time between Toronto and Saskatoon, Canada. Sally and Melissa are sisters and both have dual citizenship in the United States. PlainFigures.com See all Topics

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<Doug Klippert@ 3:02 AM

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  Friday, January 09, 2009 – Permalink –

Graph Data and Shapes

Statistical collection


Betty C Jung has put together a serious collection of tutorials, links, and data sources.

Here are some of the topics:
  • Charting Data
  • Data Presentation
  • Cumulative Frequencies
  • Fishbone Diagram
  • Flowcharts
  • Frequency Distributions
  • Gantt; PERT Charts
  • Graphing With Excel
  • Analyzing and Plotting Data with Excel
  • Organizational Charts/Mapping
  • Social Network Analysis
Graphing & Presenting Data




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<Doug Klippert@ 3:51 AM

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  Thursday, September 18, 2008 – Permalink –

Excel Charts For Dummies

Graph-ology


You don't have to be spreadsheet challenged to read this book. Many people become quite adept at using Worksheet functions and even VBA, but have little experience with charting.

This book has some great cartoons, and, by page 361, the reader will be exposed to step by step instructions covering both simple charts and some quite sophisticated graphing.

"Excel Charts For Dummies will show readers how to professionally display data in presentation-quality charts. How to create attractive charts and why to use specific charts in particular circumstances. Lots of real-world examples with step-by-step tutorials. How to embed graphics and pictures into charts; then use them in impressive PowerPoint presentations or Microsoft Word documents. The book features a 16-page full-color insert of the best Excel charts 'works of art.'"

Ken Bluttman is also the author of Excel Formulas and Functions for Dummies, Access Hacks, and Developing Microsoft Office Solutions.





By Ken Bluttman
ISBN 0-7645-8473-1
Wiley Publishing, Inc. 2005

Technical editor Doug Klippert



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<Doug Klippert@ 6:40 AM

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  Thursday, June 05, 2008 – Permalink –

Gantt-PERT

Project Charts


The Gantt chart was developed by Henry L. Gantt around 1910. The chart shows a project's status, but not how one task depends on another.

In the 1950's, the Navy developed PERT (Program Evaluation Review Technique) charts. A similar process is called the Critical Path Method (Analysis) or CPM (A).

The terms PERT, PERT/CPM, and CPM are often interchanged.

A PERT chart looks more like a flow chart than a graph.

BaRaN Sytems has some clear examples:
Project for Excel


Here's an example of a Gantt chart being constructed using an open source product called GanttProject :
Flash Demo


John F. Lacher has created a nice example of how to create a Gantt chart.
This one is appropriate for scheduling rooms, resources, and time.

A sample can be downloaded and customized.
Lacher24.XLS


Gantt Chart

Also see:

Simple Gantt chart
Gantt-type chart on a worksheet using conditional formatting


And


Microsoft Knowledgebase:
How to Create a Gantt Chart Using Hours as the Scale
Visual Basic Module to Create Gantt Chart

Jon Peltier:
Gantt Chart Links

Gantt Googled


You can use Microsoft Project to create PERT and Gantt charts.



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<Doug Klippert@ 6:11 AM

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  Sunday, November 04, 2007 – Permalink –

Chart Art

Apple π


Look at how different media organizations have used graphics/graphs to illustrate the news.
Poynter Online:
The Art of Explanation


While Edward Tufte has concerns about representing data accurately in charts, he does, use pictures to demonstrate relationships.
(See Edward Tufte)

If you would like to try your hand, here are some links that will help to spice up your condiment report.

PC Magazine:
Add Images to Excel Projects

MacWorld:
Excel Chart Art

Andy Pope:
Dividing a graphic into sections


Excel 2007 has a great graphic look for charts, but these links still work



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<Doug Klippert@ 5:39 AM

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  Wednesday, March 28, 2007 – Permalink –

Data Scrutiny Charts

Ways to look closer



Professional statisticians typically have powerful software at their disposal to perform advanced analyses and create slick graphs. But many professionals in the quality field don't enjoy that luxury.

Faced with a limited budget, they must be resourceful with the software they already have. Besides, not everyone needs the capability to perform nonlinear regression with custom loss functions for maximum likelihood!

Fortunately, many occasional data analysts already own a versatile software capable of providing most basic quality analyses -- Microsoft Excel.

  • Shewhart control charts

  • Pareto charts

  • Simple box-and-whisker plots




Excel for Data Analysis



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<Doug Klippert@ 6:49 AM

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