Graph tools

Using the graph toolbar

You can use the following tools to customize your graph.

Create an export file of the data in the graph you’re viewing.

Copy the graph you’re viewing as a bitmap graphic onto the Clipboard.

Copy the data represented by the graph you’re viewing onto the Clipboard

Print the graph you’re viewing. If you’re viewing a graph and its legend, you’ll print the legend and the graph.

Change the colour of a portion of the graph you’re viewing. Select a colour from the palette that appears; then drag the colour from the Change Colour box to the portion of the graph you want to change. You can change the colour of any part of the graph you’re viewing, including the graph’s background and the legend’s background.

3D-2D

Toggle between two-dimensional and three-dimensional views of the graph.

Open the 3D View Properties window, where you can choose a perspective on a three-dimensional graph. You can also add depth and shadow to a three-dimensional graph using this window. See Displaying graphs for more information about these features.

Z-Clustered Series

Add a Z-axis to a three-dimensional bar graph

Hold down the button to drag a rectangle around the section of the graph you want to view in greater detail. Click the Zoom button again to return to normal view.

Show/Hide Legend

Show or hide the graph’s legend box.

Display a bar graph with a vertical grid.

Horizontal Grid

Display a bar graph with a horizontal grid.

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Open the Titles window, where you can enter, edit or delete titles for the graph you’re viewing. Click the Apply button in the Titles window to apply your changes to the graph titles. Click OK in the Titles window to apply your changes to the graph titles and close the Titles window.

Change Text Fonts

Change the font characteristics of text in the graph window. Choose the text you want to change from the menu that appears, then change the font characteristics in the Font dialogue box and click OK.

By choosing commands from the Tools menu, you can show or hide the legend box, the Palette Bar, the Pattern Bar or the Data Editor.

The legend box is a key that identifies the sections of the graph according to colour and pattern.

To show the legend box, click the Tools button and choose Legend from the Tools menu. You can also show and hide the legend box clicking the Show/Hide Legend button on the graph toolbar.

The Palette Bar allows you to change the colour of a portion of the graph you’re viewing.

To show the Palette Bar, click the Tools button and choose Palette Bar from the Tools menu. Drag the colour from the Palette Bar to the portion of the graph you want to change. You can change the colour of any part of the graph you’re viewing, including the graph and legend backgrounds. Use the arrows at the left of the Palette Bar to scroll through the available colours You can double-click a colour on the Palette Bar to open the Colour window, where you can define custom colour.

The Pattern Bar allows you to add a pattern to the graph you’re viewing.

To show the Pattern Bar, click the Tools button and choose Pattern Bar from the Tools menu. Drag the pattern from the Pattern Bar to the portion of the graph you want to change. To edit a pattern, double-click the pattern in the Pattern Bar. Click a pixel in the Pattern Bitmap section of the window to activate or deactivate it. When you’re finished, click OK.

The Data Editor allows you to change the information represented by the graph you’re viewing so you can plot projected goals, predicted sales, and so on.

To show the Data Editor, click the Tools button and choose Data Editor. You can change amounts in the graph and the legend names. When you’re satisfied with your changes, click the Tools button and choose Data Editor to return to graph view. Any changes you make to the graph using the Data Editor won’t affect your company file.

■	Using graphs

■	Displaying graphs

■	Graph tools

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