You can create an Excel line chart with more than 1 plot line by creating a new chart from multiple columns of data or adding a new column to an existing chart. Actually, you can create a multiple line graph in Excel but it will take you a lot of time. Nowadays there are plenty of online tools available to create line graphs online. All you need to do is to choose the chart type “line graph”, copy paste your data and the chart is ready.
Active4 years, 1 month ago
I have the following data:
And each section represents a separate line that I want to be plotted on a graph. As you can see, the time values are different for each recordings and I am not able to figure out a way to embed all these different sections into their individual lines in a excel line graph.
Any help?
(I am using both Google Docs and Microsoft Excel spreadsheet)
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2 Answers
Another alternative is to use an Excel Scatter plot, which lets you choose different sets of time (X) values for each data set plotted:
SimonSimon
I'd suggest rearranging your data as on the left in the image below (if a chart as on the right is something like your requirement!):
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Properly formatted charts and graphs can help you grasp the patterns and trends hidden within the raw data of an Excel spreadsheet. For example, if you are comparing the stock performance of two companies over the past year, you can create a chart that shows the stock prices for each company on a single chart with the same X and Y axes. Microsoft Excel 2013 enables you to add sets of data to a chart one at a time. If your data is in the proper order, however, you can plot both sets of data at the same time.
Adding Data Sets One at a Time
1.Launch Excel and load the spreadsheet containing the data you want to plot.
2.Select the first set of X and Y axis data for your chart.
3.Click the 'Insert' tab, and then select the chart type and sub-type you want to create. For example, if you are plotting stock prices over time, you can use a line graph or a scatter plot. This set of data is labeled as 'Series 1.'
4.Right-click a blank space on the chart, click 'Select Data,' and then click 'Add.'
5.Select the Y axis values for the second set of data, and then press 'Enter.' This set of data is labeled as 'Series 2.'
Graph Two Sets of Data Simultaneously
2.Type in the X axis data in the leftmost column of your worksheet. For instance, type in months 1 through 12 in column 'A.'
3.Type in the Y axis value for the first data set in an adjacent column. For instance, type in the stock prices for the first company in column 'B.'
4.Type in the Y axis values for the second data set in the column beside the first set. For instance, type in the stock prices for the second company in column 'C.'
5.Select all the data you want to graph, click the 'Insert' tab, and then select the chart type and sub-type you want to plot. The chart should show a separate plot for the first and second data series on a common Y axis.
References (2)
About the Author
Allen Bethea has written articles on programming, web design,operating systems and computer hardware since 2002. He holds a Bachelor of Science from UNC-Chapel Hill and AAS degrees in office technology, mechanical engineering/drafting and internet technology. Allen has extensive experience with desktop and system software for both Windows and Linux operating systems.
Cite this Article Choose Citation Style
Bethea, Allen. 'How to Plot Two Things on the Same Y Axis in Excel.' Small Business - Chron.com, http://smallbusiness.chron.com/plot-two-things-same-y-axis-excel-72299.html. Accessed 12 September 2019.
Bethea, Allen. (n.d.). How to Plot Two Things on the Same Y Axis in Excel. Small Business - Chron.com. Retrieved from http://smallbusiness.chron.com/plot-two-things-same-y-axis-excel-72299.html
Bethea, Allen. 'How to Plot Two Things on the Same Y Axis in Excel' accessed September 12, 2019. http://smallbusiness.chron.com/plot-two-things-same-y-axis-excel-72299.html
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