Graph Types

From the Analysis module, you will use the GRAPH command to create graphical representations of your data. From the Graph dialog box, you will select a Graph Type, an X-Axis variable, a Y-Axis variable, and a Series variable by using the corresponding drop-down boxes.

The following graph types will be created in this lesson:

BAR

Bar Graphs are used to group data together according to categories and display a bar for each value in that category. Bar lengths represent quantities in a set of data. Bars are color-coded according to the series represented and displayed vertically.

ROTATED BAR

Rotated Bar Graphs are bar graphs with horizontal bars representing the count or weight of each value of the main variable(s).  

STACKED BAR

Stacked Bar Graphs are created in the same manner as non-stacked bar graphs, except that the Y values from each series accumulates. Bars are stacked on the end of the previous bar with each separate series color-coded.

AREA

Area Graphs display data sets on X-Y axis with the area under the line filled.

SPLINE

Spline Graphs have values indicated by points connected with a smooth curve.

POINT

Point graphs contain data indicated by a marker for each data point.

LINE

Line graphs are used to determine trends and cyclic variation based on interaction of data elements. Data points are plotted on the graph and connected with lines. Line graphs can display large amounts of data that varies along some accepted sequence such as time, temperature, price etc. Line graphs with multiple lines can be used to display several variables to conserve space and to facilitate comparison of more than one dependent variable on a single independent scale. Line graphs must have numeric variables for both X and Y-axes and the X variable values are treated as continuous. To generate a line graph utilizing categorical X variables, use the Bar graph command and then customize the graph style to Line.

PIE

A pie graph is a circular graph used for proportional assessment by comparing data elements such as percentages or counts against other data elements and against the sum of the data.