You can view a complex chart that includes nested
series or categories into a matrix, or crosstab, that shows multiple
small charts arranged in rows and columns.
The
charts in the rows represent the outer nested levels of the series
and categories and, the charts in the columns represent the categories.
Each data item in the outer nested levels of the series and categories
becomes a separate chart. The numeric scale of all the charts is the
same so that you can easily compare.
When working with pie,
gauge, and bullet charts, if you include a data item in the categories,
you automatically create a matrix of charts. One chart appears for
each data item in the category. When working with progressive and
bullet charts, if you include a data item in the series, you also
automatically create a matrix of charts.
For example, the following
column chart shows the revenue for each year (in the categories or
X-axis) for all the regions and product lines (in the series or Y-axis).
This chart is very complex and difficult to understand.
Figure 1. Complex column chart
The following chart contains the same series and categories.
However, when converted to a matrix of charts, the information is
much easier to analyze. The columns show charts for each year and
the rows show charts for each the product lines. The bars represent
the revenue for each region.
Procedure
- Select the chart object.
- In the Properties pane, under General,
double-click the Matrix rows and columns property.
- Select the Show outer nested series as matrix
rows or Show outer nested categories as matrix
columns check boxes (or both).
- In the Matrix levels box, select
the number of nested levels to include in the matrix columns or rows.
The remaining nested levels are represented in the chart
bodies in the matrix if the chart supports additional categories.
The pie, gauge, and bullet charts do not support additional categories.
The bullet and progressive column charts do not support additional
series.
For example, in the above chart, Regions are nested
under Product Line. In the matrix chart, a Matrix level of
1 is specified. Therefore, Product Line appears as the matrix rows
(series) and Regions appear within the chart bodies.
- If you want labels for the matrix rows and columns to appear
on each chart, select the Show row labels or Show
column labels check box.
- In the Labels location list, select
where the nested labels should appear on each chart.
The
default position is on the left for rows and on the bottom for columns.
- If the labels are too long, click Truncation and
specify where to truncate text or select the Size fonts
automatically check box to resize the text to fit.
- To change the font, color, and data format of the labels,
click Style.
- To show the title in the row or column axis, select the Show
row title or Show column title check
box.
- If you want to hide or show the axes, select the axis object,
and in the Properties pane, under Miscellaneous,
set the Show in Matrix property.
- If your matrix chart includes only rows or columns, and
you want them to wrap, select the Wrap rows or columns
if possible check box.
- If you want to show the axes and axis labels for each small
chart in the matrix, select the Repeat row and column axis
labels check box.
When this option is cleared,
axes and axis labels appears only along the outer edge of the matrix.
