It is generally more convenient to populate Bar Plots via drag-and-drop, but the following situations require use of a Spreadsheet:

 

•Bars derived from:

oCustom Tokens that cannot serve as a drag source during drag-and-drop (e.g., those not visible within a text box)

oThe results of Parameter Math or array formulas calculated within a Spreadsheet, and

 

•Error bars or highlighting parameters.  

Note: Bar Plots requiring these formatting elements can still be populated with bars via drag-and-drop, but accessing the Spreadsheet is required to add them.

 

If a Spreadsheet exists on the layout, an inserted Bar Plot will be automatically populated with the data within the Spreadsheet.  If more than one Spreadsheet exists, select that which is intended as the data source prior to inserting the Bar Plot.

 

By default, the Bar Plot will plot the first two columns of the Spreadsheet for the X- and Y-parameters, respectively.  

 

To populate the Bar Plot with parameters other than the first two columns of the Spreadsheet,

 

1.Select the Format tab→Plot Options→Overlays command (Figure 5.230).

 

 

2.Choose the parameter (i.e., Spreadsheet column) intended for the X-axis, from the Bar Labels drop-down menu.

 

3.Choose the parameter (i.e., Spreadsheet column) intended for the Y-axis, from the Bar Values drop-down menu.

 

 

To add an overlay to an existing Bar Plot, either

 

•Drag and drop a Spreadsheet onto the Bar Plot, or

 

•Drag and drop another Bar Plot onto the recipient Bar Plot, or

 

•Right-click on the Bar Plot

 

1.Select Add Overlay using Advanced Open Data Dialog from the pop-up menu.

2.Select the data source in the Active Files tab of the Open Data File dialog (Figure 5.231).

3.Click OK.

 

 

4.Select the parameters for the new Overlay in the Add overlays dialog.

5.Click OK (Figure 5.232).

 

See the Formatting Bar Plots section for details on how to customize colors, bar style, error bars, and more.