Scatter Graph in MS Excel (or other)?

In Excel, click insert, select CHART.

done

Thanks but what type of chart.

I have tried this as i stated. I've been using excel for quite a while and know my way around but this is something new i am trying to do and can't seem to find the right tool to do it.

In Excel, try Chart Wizard / Standard Types / Radar.

Can't help you with exactly what you're after (to me Excel's radar doesn't appear to do what you want). However you can try a Bubble chart - it's perhaps the closest within Excel.

It gives you your data on an x,y graph but the magnitude of the second variable (which you had as distance from origin) is given by the size of the data point itself.

So your data will look like 4 floating bubbles - not quite the elegant solution you were after, but you get visual comparison between variables.

... but your solution has to be possible in Excel ... still thinking ...

You are absolutely right, RobertOz, Radar is irrelevant. But, the following works, using scatter without connecting lines:

=85*sin(60*pi()/180) =85*cos(60*pi()/180)

=20*sin(135*pi()/180) =20*cos(135*pi()/180)

=50*sin(250*pi()/180) =50*cos(250*pi()/180)

=50*sin(315*pi()/180) =50*cos(315*pi()/180)

My answer to RobertOz gives results which differ from your graph because you are using topographical or surveying clockwise directions starting at the 'north' while in mathematics a counterclockwise system starting at the 'east' is customary.

Math = 450 - Top, if Math > 360 then Math = Math - 360

Top = 450 - Math, if Top > 360 the, Top = Top -360

These transformations are easy to implement.

Beautiful!

For anyone who is interested... Dovy's method gives the following result when graphed as scatter Excel (the two x transf, y transf columns are the result of the transforming equations (ie =85*SIN(60*PI()/180), =85*COS(60*PI()/180) etc)

(meant to reply to #5 not #6...)

Hi Ian,

I think, you can do that, using a macro vbscript of excell,

manipulating the lines and graphics!!

JC

Hey guys,

I've been away for a couple of days but dovy, RobertOZ, what you have plotted looks to be just what i'm after.

i have a file containg a goodly sample of data and running this through your formulae works a treat.

Many many thanks.

Ian : )

Thanks Ian -

Nice to be able to help!

However the elegant brain work was Dovy's - a really clever yet simple solution.

Robert

Thanks to Ian and Robert but I can't claim brainwork. The transformation is plain 'polar to cartesian'. It is even available on clever pocket computers. The geographical system, measuring directions clockwise starting at 'north', is much more intuitive compared to the mathematical one, which goes counterclockwise starting at 'east'. I don't know why this difference was implemented. I guess navigation predated the cartesian coordinate system.