using excel to plot

Using Excel to Plot

Farrokh Alemi, Ph.D.

Objectives

Given a set of data plot a control chart using Excel software

Data

Observations over time (see first two columns)

Upper and Lower control limits (see columns 3 and 4)

Pre (yellow) & post (white) Intervention period

Plot a chart with three lines designating the observed, the upper and the lower limits. Distinguish between pre- and post intervention periods

TimeObserved

valueUpper limit

Lower Limit

1 30 52.5 12.5

2 0 52.5 12.5

3 25 52.5 12.5

4 30 52.5 12.5

5 35 52.5 12.5

6 40 52.5 12.5

7 50 52.5 12.5

8 45 52.5 12.5

9 31 52.5 12.5

10 20 52.5 12.5

11 40 52.5 12.5

12 60 52.5 12.5

13 45 52.5 12.5

14 60 52.5 12.5

15 45 52.5 12.5

16 32 52.5 12.5

17 50 52.5 12.5

18 60 52.5 12.5

Distinguish between before and after intervention periods

Create a series for the time period before intervention Select the range from C2 to

D8 and cut and paste it in two new columns E2 to F8.

Label E1 as upper limit before and F1 as lower limit before

Label C1 as upper limit after and D1 as lower limit after

Select chart options1. Click on chart logo

2. Select first option of line charts

3. Enter data range B2:F19 or drag cursor from B2 to F19 to pick up this range

Title, X-axis, Y-axis & legend

Enter plot title, X-axis title and Y-axis titles

Select legend folder and turn off the legend

Select plot area

Select where to make the plot

See plot. The limits are confusing and need to be redone

Example of how to plot

020

4060

80

1 3 5 7 9 11 13 15 17

Time

Ob

se

rve

d v

alu

es

Redo limits

1. Right click on the line until selected

2. Select format data series

3. Set marker to none. Set line color to red

4. Repeat for the after portion but this time set style to dashed

Redo observation line

4. Delete gridline

1. Right click on the line for observed values. Select format data series

2. Set markers to automatic, press ok

3. Click on grid line until selected

Final output

Example of how to plot

020

4060

80

1 3 5 7 9 11 13 15 17

Time

Ob

se

rve

d v

alu

es