Graphs with Missing Data

Question

Level 1

4 points

Graphs with Missing Data

If I have data formated like so:

Header 1	Header 2
1	1
2	1
3
4	6
5	7
6
7	7

And make an X/Y graph of it in numbers, the graph will have two lines and a dot (1,1 connected, 6,7 connected and 7). While I understand that is is more correct than making a single line connecting all the data, is there a way to force numbers to make graphs like that? I'd like it to mirror the way that google spreadsheets makes graphs with a single line to handle the missing data.

Thank you in advance for any help.

Mac OS X (10.7.2)

Posted on Mar 17, 2012 7:15 AM

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Answer 1

Mar 17, 2012 7:22 AM in response to CGPGrey

Where is the line supposed to go for the missing data? There is a control in the X/Y plot that connects points but it will not connect points when there is missing data.

One thing you could do is sort so the missing data is at the end.

If Google docs is the way you like the graph you could also use Google docs.

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Answer 2

CGPGrey Author

Level 1

4 points

Mar 17, 2012 7:32 AM in response to Wayne Contello

When I make the graph in numbers, I get this:

Resorting thet data is not an option, because it's normally date-based. I know full-well that I could use Google Docs, I just wanted to know if I could get the same functionality in Numbers.

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Answer 3

Mar 17, 2012 7:58 AM in response to CGPGrey

Numbers will not connect data where there is a missing point. You can sort by Header 2, then by date and as you add data in for Header 2 report to add points back in.

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Answer 4

Barry

Level 9

60,023 points

Mar 17, 2012 10:22 AM in response to CGPGrey

Reorganize the table using the "Show rows that match the following" section. An x-y chart will display as shown. The chart preferences must be set in the Inspector to not show hidden data.

A Line chart (which is what yours appears to be) will be missing the 'categories' 3 and 6, and will not include the space for these categories on the category axis.

Regards,

Barry

Message was edited by: Barry (replaced image)

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