Non-numeric values in Charts

[korsar]

Hi,

i'm trying to build a chart using two data ranges. The y-axis is numeric value, but the x-axis is non-numeric (corporate credit rating, like AAA, AA+, AA- and so on) in decending order, with AAA the best and AA+, AA, AA- and so on. Is it possible to build a chart with non-numeric values?

Surely, i could replace this characters with numbers, but then the chart would display numeric characters and is not easy to read.

Do you have any idea how to solve this problem?

cheers,
korsar

[tinyjack]

You can put text values on the x-axis with no problems, have you tried it yet?

TJ

[korsar]

You can put text values on the x-axis with no problems, have you tried it yet?

TJ

Yes... i did. Here is the simplified excel sheet and a corresponding chart with NUMERIC x-axis values. But instead i would like to display this AA's and BB's...
i don't know how to do it?

[tinyjack]

BBB appears twice in your example data, how would this be handled?

TJ

[Andy Pope]

Try changing the chart type to Line and then couple click the line series and set the line border to None.

And as TJ points out your rating labels appear incorrect.

[korsar]

Try changing the chart type to Line and then couple click the line series and set the line border to None.

And as TJ points out your rating labels appear incorrect.

... now it displays the characters... but, the order, in which they appear is not correct! ... AAA is the most left, followed by AA+ and AA and s.o.

... i need a Scatter-Plot... the purpose is to compare the relative attractiveness of companies with same rating... and there can be actually more than 2 companies with BBB rating (to TJ)... the chart has to show Ratings on the x-axis (or y-axis if it will help the problem) and the spreads (it is a kind of risk measure) on the y-axis. Then one could easily compare the companies with the same rating, but different risk premium(spread).

i hope, i could explain you the problem...
thanx,
korsar

[Andy Pope]

You will have to make a combination chart.

Plot the points on the primary axis and xy scatter. This will allow for the points with the same rating to appear in the same x axis value.

You will need another data series to provide the ratings category labels.
The data labels can either be modified by hand or linked to cells.

I have also included a lookup table so you can add additional ratings in the correct order.

[korsar]

You will have to make a combination chart.

Plot the points on the primary axis and xy scatter. This will allow for the points with the same rating to appear in the same x axis value.

You will need another data series to provide the ratings category labels.
The data labels can either be modified by hand or linked to cells.

I have also included a lookup table so you can add additional ratings in the correct order.

Great solution! ... especially the trick with dummy zero's

thanx a lot!
korsar

[rsplinter]

You can make the label points invisible if you click on one of them. Then select Format Data Series and set the marker to none.

[joez]

This is a cool solution, and I was able to use it as the basis for the bubble chart I am making, which turned out awesome. The thing is, I am still somewhat of a novice with the charts, and so while I was able to modify your charts for my needs, I still don't fully understand how this chart works.

My main question I guess is how did you get the X axis labels to get there? Are they coming from row J?