Error bars on 3D bar graphs

[RCraig]

Does anyone know of a way to put error bars on a graph of the following type:

I varied x, I measured 2 different things (Expression and Cell Death)

As x increases, so do Expression and Cell Death.

I made a 3D bar graph showing for the various Xs, the bars representing the values of Expression and behind these the values for Cell Death

I have calculated the Standard deviation of the values for Expression as well as Cell Death. However, I cannot find a way to put Error bars on a 3D graph. If anyone has any suggestions, they would be much appreciated.

 

[Steve=True]

Hello RCraig,

Welcome to the forums.

Sorry, but you cannot do this.

From Excel Help:

"You can add error bars to data series in a 2-D area, bar, column, line, xy (scatter), and bubble charts. For xy (scatter) and bubble charts, you can display error bars for the x values, the y values, or both."

2-D Only.

Steve=True

 

[RCraig]

Thanks so much for this information. This is really a limitation in Excel.

I can do 2 2D graphs, I don't need the individual graphs to have depth. The thing I am trying to achieve is to have the 2 graphs one behind the other.

The other thing I have done in the past is to make the 2 graphs one behind the other using 3D. Then make each graph individually in 2D with error bars. Copy the graphs into Powerpoint where they are going anyway. Then take the error bars from the 2D graphs and put them on the 3D graph.

Not sure I am making myself clear, it is a fair bit of work but do-able. R

 

[Steve=True]

Hi RCraig,

Can you do it with one chart like this?

Not sure if this is exactly like you are looking for:

 

[RCraig]

Wow, that just might work! I will check your graph out more to see how you achieved this. Thanks so much, RC

 

[RCraig]

Note, in my case, the 2 output variables are measure on the same scale (0-100%). RC

 

[Steve=True]

AWESOME!!!

Sorry, in China right now and just got off a conference call. Here is an updated chart.

Here are the steps

1) Chart Columns A-D for your data set.
2) Move Values 2 to the secondary axis.
3) change overlap to your desired spread
4) add error bars to both charts
5) delete the second vertical axis to make both axis' line up on one value set
6) delete the GAP legend item.

Let me see your final chart you develop.

Good luck!

Steve=True

 

[RCraig]

I got everything to work except something about the overlap. In my case, the 2 sets of bars are directly in front and back of each other. In other words, I can't quite figure out how to get them a bit side-by-side as yours were.
I also don't know how to upload, so I cannot show it to you. Will try to figure this out, hope you are having a wonderful time in China. R

 

[Steve=True]

Hi RCraig,

Raining a lot here right now

You need to include the GAP series in your data range. That will allow it to be slightly offset. Otherwise they will overlap exactly.

Also, you need to move the right series to the 2nd Axis.

Hopefully you will see this is charted in my picture above.

Hope this helps.

Going to bed as it is 11:15pm here in Suzhou. (1.5 hours out of Shanghai - Beautiful city).

Steve=True

 

[RCraig]

ok, I accidentally deleted the gap series when I was trying to delete its legend. Will add back.
I don't know whether this is good or bad, but in putting one of the value series on a second axis, it ended up not only on a second y axis, but also on a second x axis.

Will keep working diligently while you sleep! R