How to plot hourly data

[mjwedeking]

A lot of times I plot hourly or even 15 minute data. Unless if I am doing a
simple line graph (which can be done with an XY plot) Excel will only plot
the data as daily data. The only way to get around it is to change the X
value data (date/time stamp) to regular text data. I want to be able to plot
the flow on a line graph and the rain on the same graph (second y-axis) as a
bar graph.

Sample Data:
A B C
Date Time Flow(mgd) Rain(in)
2/13/2007 0:15 1.2 0
2/13/2007 0:30 1.3 0.1
2/13/2007 0:45 1.5 0.2
2/13/2007 1:00 1.1 0

 

[Jon Peltier]

If you need a column chart, go to Chart Options on the Chart menu, click on
the Axes tab, and check the Category box under Category (X) Axis.

- Jon

 

[mjwedeking]

I don't know what that gives you. Still does not allow you to plot hourly
data with x data in "Date-Time" format

 

[mjwedeking]

I guess that works. Not as nice as creating a normal time-scale plot. I guess
Excel does not expect people to be plotting 5 sec data.

 

[Jon Peltier]

I said "If you need a column chart", implying that a column chart might be
what you want but not what you need. In your other thread, I advised an XY
chart. Column charts are not good for time data anyway, you ought to use an
XY chart with lines connecting the points, to convey the passage of time.

- Jon

 

[Kelly O'Day]

Jon:

There are times when XY based trend charts look much better with thin
vertical lines (made with error bars) illustrate the data better than trend
lines.

Here's an example -
http://processtrends.com/pg_chart_scroll_bar_checkbox.htm

Precipitation is one of those variable where it's better to use thin
vertical lines to display each day or hour discretely rather than connect
points with a trend line. Since there is no rain on most days/hours, a trend
line of precipitation will continually drop to zero, making an ugly chart;
thin vertical lines on rain days look much better.

Kelly

http://processtrends.com

 

[Jon Peltier]

Kelly -

That's true, of course. I was overgeneralizing. Then again, rainfall is a
discrete measure (it rains today or it doesn't, and the total rainfall today
was x), while your "flow" may be more continuous in nature. Your suggestion
makes complete sense. At times I have used a similar technique to get an
apparent column chart within a panel chart context; a true column chart
would need dummy invisible series on which to stack upper visible columns,
but using an error bar, often using the thickest line thickness, provide the
look with fewer hidden details to keep track of.

- Jon