Numbers Iine Chart

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Jack1935 Author

Level 1

0 points

Numbers Iine Chart

Hello. I'm working from an iPad. I have created a Spreadsheet containing several years of data. I'd like to create a Line Chart comparing 3 years of data. I've looked at every manual I can find but can't seem to find one compatible with my iPad. I sure would appreciate some help with the steps required to generate this rather simple chart. I sure could use some help. Thank you.

My Spreadsheet consists of 4 columns: Year ( e.g., 2012, 2011 etc); Month (JAN-DEC); No. KWHs (500-2000); and Cost ($140). Each year consists of 13 rows with a total for KWHs and cost. The years are contiguous on the Spreadsheet.

I would like to create a Line Chart titled "KWHs By Month" with the Value Axis on the left and Labels (JAN-DEC) across the bottom. I would like 3 years of data plotted on the chart e.g., 2011, 2012, 2013 in different colors to differentiate between them.

Probably took longer to write this than to create the Chart, if I knew how. Thanks so much for any help.

Jack

iPad 2, iOS 6.1.4

Posted on Aug 18, 2013 1:07 PM

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Answer 1

Aug 18, 2013 2:03 PM in response to Jack1935

Jack,

Each year will be a series. You will want to identify each series manually. It's much easier than trying to automate the parsing of the years.

The second row extracts the month from the date in column A. The formula for that extraction is:

=MONTHNAME(MONTH(A))

Regards,

Jerry

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Answer 2

Aug 18, 2013 4:02 PM in response to Jerrold Green1

Jack,

Correction... Second Column, obviously, not second row for the month name.

Sorry,

Jerry

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Answer 3

Jack1935 Author

Level 1

0 points

Aug 19, 2013 7:01 AM in response to Jerrold Green1

Jerry

Thanks for your response. Think my problem is not knowing how to navigate the Chart options. I have selected a line Chart and have plotted one year of data by selection of spreadsheet cells.

How do I get the other years of data on the same chart? How do I get the month labels along the bottom?

How do I change the title. Also need a legend as to what each line(color) represents.

If you'd be kind enough to lead me through one chart from beginning to end, I think I'll be good to go. Really appreciate your helping a novice.

Jack

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Answer 4

Aug 19, 2013 7:23 AM in response to Jack1935

Jack,

I'd be happy to give you a hand. Please read Chapter 7 of the Numbers User Guide PDF first so we are using the same terminology. Chapter 7 will show you how to create charts and how to add and delete data from a chart.

You can download the guide from the Help menu.

Jerry

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Answer 5

Jack1935 Author

Level 1

0 points

Aug 19, 2013 12:57 PM in response to Jerrold Green1

Jerry,

I've downloaded the Numbers User Guide PDF. First I've seen of that one. Did successfully change the Title on my chart. Small victory! I'm browsing it right now.

Here's an example of things I can't relate to: on Page 144 it states "to show the title or legend, choose View>Show inspector and then click the Chart Inspection button. Select Title or Show Legend".

I don't see any of those options on the Spreadsheet page I'm looking at???

Jack

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Answer 6

Barry

Level 9

59,957 points

Aug 19, 2013 1:27 PM in response to Jack1935

Hi Jack,

These screen shots may help.

View menu, showing "Show Inspector" selected.

With Chart selected (note handles), here is the Chart Inspector.

Note checked boxes "Show Title", "Show Legend"

Chart Title = Chart Name, edited in the Sheets list to the left. The title may be formatted by clicking on it, selecting the box displaying the Title (not the one containing the Chart Name), then using the usual formatting tools in the Format bar.

Legend indicated at bottom of chart. This may be moved, and the text formatted. The Legend picks up its text from the X value column header on the data table, as indicated in the table at the top left.

Take a look at the Axis and Series sections of this inspector, and play with the settings to see what they do.

Regards,

Barry

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Answer 7

Jack1935 Author

Level 1

0 points

Aug 21, 2013 9:33 AM in response to Jerrold Green1

Jerry/Barry

Found this reference with the Numbers App: Help.apple.com/numbers/ipad/1.7/. Seems to be more attuned to the iPad

Where some of the other documentation is Mac related. Making some progress. I'll keep you informed as to progress. I'd like to thank you guys again for being so helpful. Have a great day.

Jack

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