Formatting Graphs

About formatting graphs

You can use a variety of formatting tools to make a graph attractive and easy to read.

Adding a title, subtitle, or footnote to a graph

As part of formatting a graph, you can add a title, subtitle, or footnote.

Editing dimension value labels in a graph

You can edit certain dimension value labels that the software automatically generates when you create a new graph. For example, you can edit X-axis labels and legend labels.

Specifying dimension value labels

As an alternative to manually editing labels for a series of dimension values, you can choose from a set of labels that are already defined for those values. To do this, choose Dimension Labels from the Graph menu, then select a label type.

Choosing a format for the graph legend

Legends serve as keys to data represented in graphs. If you have several data series depicted in a graph, with each series represented by a different marker, a legend helps you associate each marker with its corresponding data series.

When you create a new graph, the software includes a legend that is appropriate for the data shown in the graph. You can modify the legend's location, layout, and label orientation.

Removing a legend from a graph

You can remove a legend entirely by choosing Graph Options from the Graph menu and deselecting the Show Legend option.

Aligning text in a graph

You can change the alignment of text elements such as titles, labels, or footnotes. The alignment options are left, center, and right.

Choosing a format for numbers in a graph

As part of formatting a graph, you can make various choices that control the way numbers are represented. You can choose:

• The number of decimal places

• To include international currency, scaling, or percent symbols

• To display decimal separators or thousands separators

Choosing fonts for graph text

You can choose fonts, font styles, and point sizes for titles, labels, and footnotes. You can use multiple fonts in the same document to improve readability or to emphasize important elements. The fonts that are available depend on the printer you have selected.

Choosing colors and patterns for a graph

To help make your graphs attractive and easy to read, you can select colors and patterns for the following elements:

• Titles, axis labels, legend labels, and footnotes

• Graph area, legend area, and graph window

• Data markers

Showing or hiding graph components

You can choose Graph Options from the Graph menu to show or hide elements in the graph window, and to add or remove components of the graph itself. For example, you can add a Y2-axis to your graph and show or hide its title.

Related information

For more information about formatting graphs, search for the following topics in the Financial Analyzer Help system:

"Aligning Text in Graphs"

"Applying Patterns to Legends"

"Choosing Background Colors and Patterns in Graphs"

"Choosing Colors and Patterns for Data Markers in Graphs"

"Choosing Colors for Text or Numbers in Graphs"

"Choosing a Format For Numbers in Graphs"

"Choosing Fonts for Text or Numbers in Graphs"

"Choosing Fonts for Legend Text"

"Creating Dimension Values"

"Editing Dimension Value Labels"

"Including Legends in Graphs"

"Including Titles in Graphs"

"Including Subtitles in Graphs"

"Including Footnotes in Graphs"

"Modifying the Location of a Legend in a Graph"

"Modifying the Orientation of a Legend in a Graph"

"Modifying the Placement of a Legend in a Graph"