Logging my X-axis?

TJN,

I think you misread the documentation. The only type of Numbers Chart that supports LOG scale on the X-axis is the Scatter Chart. The Line Chart, like all the other Category Charts, treats the X-axis as equally spaced categories without numeric significance.

Jerry

TJN,

I have no idea why you were unable to set the LOG scale attribute for the X-Axis of a Scatter Chart. I've done it and I've not heard any other complaints. That is not to say that there couldn't be any problem with your copy of Numbers 08 as it currently sits on your computer in your primary user account.

As for the help passage that you quoted, it's not the best technical writing I've ever seen. I can understand how you could interpret it the way you did. Parsing words doesn't change the fact that the LOG scale isn't available for the "X-axis" of a Line Chart or a Bar Chart or any chart, except a Scatter Chart. Neither X nor Y axis can have a LOG scale on any Stacked Chart, an Area Chart or any 3D chart.

I'd just suggest that you test with a fresh document and a small set of X-Y data pairs to see what you can do with a Scatter Chart. Remember that your X-Y data pairs should be in body columns. Make sure you don't have your X-Data in a Header Column. You should find that you can set either LOG or LINEAR for either axis. If that doesn't work, try in another User Account and if it works there, you may have plist corruption in your main account. I think you will figure it out.

Good luck.

Jerry

The-Jedi-Ninja wrote:
"8. To display values on the value axis as logarithmic values, choose Logarithmic from the X-Axis or Y-Axis pop-up menu, depending on the chart. This option is available only for 2D bar/column charts that aren’t stacked and for line charts. You can’t plot negative values on the log axis."

As the Help states, "To display values on the value axis as logarithmic values..."

If your bars are running vertically, then the vertical (Y) axis is the value axis. With horizontal bars, the horizontal (X) axis is the value axis. Line charts and Area charts, like Bar charts, have one value axis (usually the y axis) and one category axis (usually the x axis). With scatter charts, both axes are value axes.

I can't do it for scatter charts either. I've tried.

Give it another go. If it still doesn't work for you, then a detailed description of the steps you took might provide clues to why it's not working.

Regards,
Barry

Barry,

I suppose that Apple writers avoid the terms Dependent and Independent in describing the data and their axes in an effort to keep the comprehension grade level down. The OP seems to need a semi-log scatter chart with connecting lines, log scale on the independent axis and linear on the dependent.

Here's an example of k-dominance curves as used in biodiversity studies:



Regards,

Jerry

The-Jedi-Ninja wrote:
That's exactly what I want to do. How do I do it?

Give me some sample data to work with and I'll produce a sample chart for you and describe how to do it.

Jerry

Note that since the Independent variable data is the same for both series I use the Share X-Values option and only listed it once. Click the gear icon to get that option.

Yes, I could have added minor Tick Marks to the X-Axis. Just didn't think to do it before I captured the graphic.

Glad to answer any specific questions.

Jerry

TJN,

I apologize. I didn't recognize that you posted in the 08 discussion until I looked at your graphics on Photobucket. Scatter charts aren't supported in 08. You have the option to download 09 and use it in free trial mode. Awkward timing regarding a purchase of 09 since update is rumored to be on the horizon. Trial copy may take you to the Numbers11 release date.

You could try to mimic a Semi-log Scatter Chart with a Line chart, but it would be cumbersome.

Other option is to do this in NeoOffice or another Excel clone for now.

Jerry

Another correction... I meant to say: Scatter Charts WITH CONNECTING LINES aren't supported. In other words, you can't connect the points. Also, can't check here to see if LOG scale on X-Axis is an option in 08 because my machine with iWork 08 on it is down right now. Again, sorry for the lack of awareness on my part.

Jerry

Jerrold Green1 wrote:
Also, can't check here to see if LOG scale on X-Axis is an option in 08 because my machine with iWork 08 on it is down right now.

My issue as well, except that I was limited to my Acer netbook, with no access to any version of Windows. Happy to see the probblem solved, though.

Regards,
Barry