Can categories be graphed?

Question

Level 1

8 points

Can categories be graphed?

Can a Numbers (OS X) graph get its data from Categorized values?

I have a simple table of investments. Each row is an investment. Each investment is defined by various attributes including investment value.

Using Numbers' Table Categorization capabilities via the Reorganize feature, I can categorize the investments by each attribute and see the total value by attribute. I'd like to create a pie chart of the resulting categorization using the categorized table.

Is this possible? I have yet to figure out how.

Currently, I capture the categorization results and paste them into separate/independent tables for the graphing. However, I would prefer to have those pie charts generated dynamically whenever I change the categorization.

Thanks in advance.

-David

MacBook Pro, Mac OS X (10.7.4)

Posted on Apr 23, 2013 3:46 PM

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Answer 1

pjdube

Level 3

835 points

Apr 23, 2013 4:45 PM in response to DaverDee

Can you upload a screenshot? Even if you make a made-up example, so that I can see what you are talking about. Thanks

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Answer 2

Apr 23, 2013 5:41 PM in response to DaverDee

David,

In short, no.

That shouldn't deter you though. It's quite easy to build a summary table from which to make a chart.

Take a look at the SUMIF and SUMIFS functions. You can study them in the Help menu, the Function Browser or the Formulas and Functions User Guide. If you show us what your table looks like we can suggest a specific approach.

Jerry

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Answer 3

DaverDee Author

Level 1

8 points

Apr 23, 2013 6:25 PM in response to Jerrold Green1

First off, thanks for the quick responses. Second, below are example screen shots of the simple Assets table showing the investment attributes and values. Below the Assets table are the graphs with their associated separate/independent supporting tables. (Note: The dummy data of all the tables divorces any continutity between them.)

As noted above, I copy the different sets of categorized cell values to each graph's supporting tables when I update the data.

Jerrold...Hmmmm...sumif's on the Assets table from the graph's supporting table. The light bulb was turned on. I think I see what you are pointing to.

User uploaded file

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Answer 4

Apr 24, 2013 8:56 AM in response to DaverDee

Dave,

The problem with the Category View is that the statistics that can be automatically displayed don't have cell addresses, and I've not seen any way to reference them due to that situation.

Jerry

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Answer 5

DaverDee Author

Level 1

8 points

Apr 24, 2013 9:46 AM in response to Jerrold Green1

Thanks Jerrold. Use of SumIf is a nice workaround. It provides the dynamics I was sought without being burdensome.

Going off on a tangent, not having a category rollup calculation addressable is another example of where I think Numbers can and should be updated - with performance being number one on my wish list.

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Answer 6

Apr 24, 2013 1:52 PM in response to DaverDee

Dave,

Tell Apple. Use the Feedback tool in the Numbers menu.

Jerry

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Answer 7

DaverDee Author

Level 1

8 points

Apr 26, 2013 8:27 AM in response to Jerrold Green1

Thanks again for the SumIf idea. It worked out better than I thought because I get the dynamic graphs as the data changes AND the graphs stay put when I change the categorization.

In the end, I have a nice tool that shows me asset allocation of various investments.

As a heavy Quicken user, this tool extends the capabilities from what I get from Quicken.

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Answer 8

Apr 26, 2013 3:03 PM in response to DaverDee

Dave,

It's a good feeling to make your own summaries and charts. You know what's happening and you can modify to suit your changing needs.

Jerry

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