Sort x values highest to lowest in scatter plot?

Hi C,

Would this work?

The method requires an auxiliary column in the data table and one edit to the chart. I added a second edit to the chart, adding weight to the connecting lines between data points, but that one is strictly cosmetic.

Auxiliary column in the table:

Insert a new column before column B. It will become column B.

Formula:

B2: =24-A

24 is the maximum value in column A. "A" references the column A cell on the same row as the formula.

Fill down to the bottom of column B. Results as shown. After creating the chart, this column may be hidden.

Chart:

Select cells B2:E7.

Select Scatter Chart from the Charts button.

When the chart is generated And still selected), click the gear icon at the top left of the selected cells and choose Share X values.

Select the box containing the x axis labels. Press delete to delete this box.

Click the Text box button in the Toolbar to insert a Text box.

Enter 10 in the Text box. Adjust the width of the box to a loose fit around the number.

With the box selected, press command-D seven times to create another seven identical boxes.

Edit the contents of these boxes to contain the even numbers from 10 to 24.

Carefully place the box containing 10 directly below the first data point on the chart, and as far below the x axis as you want the row of labels to appear.

Carefully place the box containing 24 directly below the last data point on the chart, and slightly lower on the page than the box containing 10.

Place the other boxes in ascending order between and slightly below the two boxes already placed.

Select all eight of these boxes, but nothing else.

Go Arrange (menu) > Align Objects > Top

Go Arrange > Distribute Objects > Horizontally

Go Arrange > Group

If desired, adjust the weight and colours of the data point icons and connecting lines.

Note: Any revisions to the data will likely require repeating the construction above.

Data table and chart constructed using Numbers '09 v2.3

Regards,

Barry

C,

Convert column A to a Header Column. Make sure that Row 1 is a Header Row.

Now sort on column A descending.

Lastly, Select the table and Insert > Chart > Line Chart.

The reason for doing all this is that a Scatter Chart will always organize itself with X-values increasing to the right. A Line Chart can be organized any way you like. The downside of a Line Chart is that the X-Axis values are actually treated as Text, so the intervals will be equal regardless of the values.

Jerry

It takes two more steps that Jerry didn't mention. To look correct, you will have to make your X axis data (Target Copies) evenly spaced by adding rows for 18 and 12. There will be no Y data for those points. You will also want to chose "none" for the connecting lines between data points.

You mean this?:

If so the only way I know to do this is to place a text box where you type in the x-axis labels (or a table), then graph a modified version of the data which "flips" it

You are right. There is no "none" option for "connection line". What you do is click on the line then format the connection line style to "none".

Can you draw an example of what you want? I'm not following the words in your description.

please post the data table (you can copy from Numbers and paste here)