[Solved] Chart in spreadsheet add data

[legalnan]

I have a chart set up in a spreadsheet. I would like to add a data point. It seems the way is to use format/data range but that line is not enabled for me. Any help much appreciated

[FJCC]

If you double click on the chart and then right click on it, is one of the options Chart Data Table? If so, the chart has lost the connection to the cells containing the data and the chart data are stored as part chart itself. I don't know any way to fix that other than rebuilding the chart.

[Villeroy]

It works exactly like any other spreadsheet reference. Insert new cells before you fill in the new data.

[legalnan]

So I started a new spreadsheet and copied all of column a from the prior one. It is data points from A1 to A1036. That is the data I'd like to see in a line chart. Can somebody please provide instructions. They need to be very detailed. like "highlight column a" - "choose insert chart" etc. I'm new at this and would be most grateful for step by step directions. Thank you ever so much.

[Zizi64]

It seems the way is to use format/data range but that line is not enabled for me.

Please upload your ODF type sample file here.

[legalnan]

I assume you wanted to see the original file with the chart to which I'd like to add data points. It is attached. Thanks so much for trying to help.

[Zizi64]

graph without text box new.ods

The graph in your attached file lost the link to the data table. Maybe the file was converted from a foreign, non standardized file format, or the graph was moved onto an another sheet/ into an another file, and then back to the original position...

graph.png (5.3 KiB) Viewed 3847 times

Follow the instruction...

[legalnan]

If I copy and paste columns a and b to a new spreadsheet, can I then construct a new chart? If so, can you please tell me how to do that? I tried highlighting column a, insert chart, line, smooth line, lines only, next (it shows the range) finish. But nothing happened. Thanks.

[Lupp]

@Zizi64: You found the problem this way using a recent LibO.
I think AOO (any version) will not support this feature, does it?

[Zizi64]

@Zizi64: You found the problem this way using a recent LibO.
I think AOO (any version) will not support this feature, does it?

Ooops... Yes I have tried the sample file in my LO 6.1.6. version.
Just tried now in my AOO 4.1.5 portable version: there is not such (very useful) feature...



Yes, this file was an xls/xlsx document:
the name of the converted style ("Excel built-in normal") it reveals this.

You always will lost some (few or more) formatting properties and even some data, when you save the documents into foreign file formats.

[legalnan]

are you saying there is no way to make a line chart in open office? Or am I simply not doing it correctly?

[FJCC]

I don't think you want to do a line chart for these data. A scatter plot makes a more useful x axis. In the attached file, I moved the data from column A to column C so that the y values are to the right of the x values. I then highlighted the data cells, chose the menu Insert -> Chart, picked the chart type XY Scatter and to show a line only, and then accept all of the default settings after that. The x axis scale probably needs to be adjusted by double clicking on the plot and then selecting the menu Format -> Axis -> X Axis.

[legalnan]

Thank you so very much. That's perfect and now I see that I can adjust the data range as I add more points. Can I trouble you once more and then I promise to leave you alone. Can you stretch it out over many more columns, like the one I originally sent, so the variance from point to point is more obvious?

[FJCC]

You can click on the graph once so that it has small green boxes on the perimeter then click and hold on a box at the middle of a side and drag it to make the plot bigger. However, redrawing the plot is very slow with this many data points, at least on my system. I suggest you plot only a subset of the points, maybe every fifth point, to get a view of the overall pattern and then make plots of every point over smaller time ranges to see the detailed variation. Plots with fewer points will be much easier to manipulate.

[Zizi64]

are you saying there is no way to make a line chart in open office?

of course it is possible. And you can create scatter type chart - what is more relevant in this case.

I just said: you will lost some contents, when you use foreign file types: you always must fix/remake them, when you open the file again.

[legalnan]

FJCC - It worked great. Took just a second to accomplish what I wanted. I also love that the dates show up on the bottom of the graph. Thanks everyone. So nice to know about this forum in case something else pops up, but right now I'm good to go!!

[MrProgrammer]

Hi, and welcome to the forum. I realize this is marked solved, but you, FJCC, Zizi64, and Lupp may want to review my comments.

I would like to add a data point. It seems the way is to use format/data range but that line is not enabled for me.

Without a Data Range connection you can still use View → Chart Data Table and add/delete data with the controls.

Controls

If you double click on the chart and then right click on it, is one of the options Chart Data Table? If so, the chart has lost the connection to the cells containing the data and the chart data are stored as part chart itself. I don't know any way to fix that other than rebuilding the chart.

I think AOO (any version) will not support this feature, does it?

Just tried now in my AOO 4.1.5 portable version: there is not such (very useful) feature...

FJCC, Zizi64, and Lupp: OpenOffice has been able to rebuild the connection from the chart to spreadsheet cells for over ten years, since version 3.1 at least. Simply select the cells, A1:A1036 in the graph without text box new.ods attachment and drag them onto the chart. This will enable Format → Data Ranges in the chart.

are you saying there is no way to make a line chart in open office?

Of course, OpenOffice can make a line chart. You already have one in your graph without text box new.ods attachment, actually.

I don't think you want to do a line chart for these data. A scatter plot makes a more useful x axis.

Agreed.

Can you stretch it out over many more columns, like the one I originally sent, so the variance from point to point is more obvious?

Select the chart (single-click). Use Format → Graphic → Position and Size to easily change the chart's size or position without using the mouse.

You have an F in the middle of your graph without text box new.ods chart. To remove it see [Solved] chart line

F in chart

[Tutorial] Ten concepts that every Calc user should know

[FJCC]

Mr. Progammer - Thanks for the tip!