I have a simple line chart. It seems I can change the spacing of the steps along the vertical (Y axis?) but not the horizontal X axis. In my chart the dates. I would like them to be closer, is this possible? Thank you for your time.
MacBook Air 13″, macOS 15.2
Judging from your screenshot 2D Scatter is likely to give you better results than 2D Line. For 2D Scatter you do not want to have data in a Header Column. For 2D Line you do want the Header Column. The Header Column is where the chart gets the labels.
Be sure to have a look at the 'Charting Basics' template and also consult entries in the User Guide.
SG
Have you tried selecting the right edge of the chart and dragging it to make the chart narrower?
Also, since the intervals between the dates seem to be uneven, have you considered making sure the left column of the table is not a Header Column and creating a 2D Scatter Chart based on it. With that you can go to the Value (X) tab and vary Max Min and Steps.
If you haven't done so already, be sure to have a look at the 'Charting Basics' template at File > New in your menu.
SG
Ralph6410 wrote:
what I have now works for me.
That's a little like saying I have a document that tells me 2 + 2 = 5, and that "works for me."😀
Selecting the columns with the data and inserting a 2D Scatter Chart instead of a 2D Line Chart should take a minute or so. Formatting it to taste takes a few more minutes.
With your investments at stake, it's worth it!
SG
Seems editing/adjusting the x axis depends on which type of chart one selects. A 2d line evidently does not allow for independent spacing of the x axis. I am happy with my 2d line so will just live with the default spacing Numbers allows.
Thanks for all the help
Ralph6410 wrote:
Seems editing/adjusting the x axis depends on which type of chart one selects.
Yes, a 2D Line chart is a so-called "category" chart. The categories are arrayed across the access with even spacing. There is not much to adjust there. A 2D Scatter chart is one series of values plotted against another. You can fiddle with settings in both the x and y access.
The dates in your screenshot are unevenly spaced in time yet you are using a chart type that gives them even spacing. Purists would say that is misleading.
SG
Hi Ralph,
I can not reproduce your graph.
Your screen shot has not included all the digits of the values on the Y axis. The leading digits are chopped off, so it is not possible to deduce the magnitude of the Y values.
A screen shot of your table may help us to help you.
As SGIII said, a Scatter Plot is more useful with such data.
Regards,
Ian.
As SCIII mentioned my dates are not "evenly spaced in time". True, at random times I check the value of my investments and again as SGIII says "Purists would say that is misleading". But it works for me.
I had hoped to be able to squeeze more data points along the "Dates/x-axis" so my chart stays on one screen. Currently.. when my chart is "full" I just duplicate it, place the copy lower down on my page and re-adjust the range of the data.
Thanks again for all the advice/help, Apple numbers is new to me and this whole exercise gave me valuable insights into the difference between Numbers and Excel
Cheers
Ok, but you really should switch to a 2D Scatter chart. If what you are doing is tracking investments, and your dates are not evenly spaced, then what you are doing truly is misleading.
What is preventing you from switching to the most appropriate type of chart for that purpose?
SG
Thanks SGIII
I did set up some data with the scatter graphs and it was interesting to see the different options available. And the format of the data required. It seems typing in "Jan 2" automatically labels it as a date and the subsequent chart applies the proper date sequence... as it should. Changing the data type to, say text, won't give me a chart.
But for my purpose, 2 + 2 = 5 is good enough when all I want to see is the 5. I really don't care about the time element when all I want is the amount in the pot.
But thanks again for encouraging me to do it right
Cheers
Ralph in Edmonton Ab
Ralph6410 wrote:
2 + 2 = 5 is good enough when all I want to see is the 5. I really don't care about the time element when all I want is the amount in the pot.
When it comes to investments I'm not sure that is a good way to think about things!
"I have twice as much in the pot now as I did 5 years ago" is a very different thing from "I have twice as much in the pot now as I did 10 years ago."
The time element in investing is absolutely crucial. The "time value of money" and all that.
Anyway, good luck.
SG
Thanks
My dates are in a header column, is this my problem? My chart type is listed as 2D line.
Yes.. will probably have a go at it, if for nothing else just to see the difference (and the experience gained by doing it). But, what I have now works for me.
Apple numbers decrease spacing of x axis
