Surface charting

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Hi all,
I have 3 columns of related data that I want to plot as a surface chart. All I seem to get from XL2000 is three line charts that are connected into a surface rather than a true 3D xyz plot. Can anyone help?

Cheers,

PaulJ

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Paul,

As far as I understand, it is quite normal that you obtain only 3 line charts. You have to organize your data in a matrix. The first row is e.g. the X-value; the first column is the Y-value; the Z-values are making up the rest of the matrix. Typically, suppose Z = f(X,Y) where f is a mathematical model, then the Z-values can be calculated from the first row and first column, that is, the (ij) element of the matrix is calculated from Xi and Yj (the ith X-value and the jth Y-value). To make the response surface graph, select the complete matrix, including the X-row and the Y-column (the very first element will be blank if you organized it well) and then select the graph wizard, go to surface plot and you will see appear the graph you want.
Hope I made myself clear.

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Hans,
Thank you for a wonderful explanation!! I knew there was more to it that just 3 columns of data.
Thanks again. What a wonderful place the Lounge is!!
Paul

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