How do I create spaces in a "clustered column" cha

[hedgeman50]

I have a "clustered column" chart (i.e., just a basic bar chart). I currently have 15 bars. The first three bars represent x, y, and z for 1999; the fourth through sixth bars represent x, y, and z for 2000; and so on (i.e., three bars for each year)...

Currently, all 15 bars are jammed together. Is there a way to create some space between the third and fourth bars, sixth and seventh bars, and so on to make it clear that each cluster of three bars is for one year?

(FYI: when I simply add another column to my data, it really messes up the chart by treating that blank column as data for each year.)

Thanks for any advice.

Max

 

[thereuare]

Re: How do I create spaces in a "clustered column"

From Excel's Help menu for charts (see #4, i think that's what you want):

Overlap or space data markers in bar and column charts
You need to select only a single data series to change the overlap or spacing of all data series of the same chart type.

1. Click a data series in the chart you want to change.

2. On the Format menu, click Selected Data Series, and then click the Options tab.

3. To change the overlap of the data markers in each category, enter a value between -100 and 100 in the Overlap box. The higher the value, the greater the overlap within the category.

4. To change the spacing between categories of data markers, enter a value between 0 (zero) and 500 in the Gap width box. The higher the value, the greater the distance between each category.

 

[hedgeman50]

Re: How do I create spaces in a "clustered column"

Thanks, Thereuare. When I do that, space appears between all the bars, instead of just between the third and fourth, six and seventh, etc. I'll keep toying with it. Thanks for your effort.

Max