Create a Matrix of Charts

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. An example column chart

a complex column chart showing revenue for each year for all regions and product lines

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.

Figure 2. An example matrix of charts

a matrix chart showing revenue for each year for all regions and product lines

Procedure

Click the chart object.
In the Properties pane, click Matrix rows and columns.
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 example column 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 bottom for columns and on the left for rows.
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 your matrix chart includes only rows or columns, and you want them to wrap, select the Wrap rows or columns if possible check box.