Use the Plot Area panel to select options for the plot area of a graph. The plot area is the place where the graph represents data.
Background color box -- Specifies a color for the background of the plot area.
Border color box -- Specifies a color for the border of the plot area.
Show horizontal (circular) grid lines box -- Specifies whether to show the horizontal grid lines on rectangular graphs and circular grid lines on circular graphs. On circular graphs, the circular grid lines are the concentric circles.
Line box -- Specifies a line thickness for the horizontal and circular grid lines.
Color box -- Specifies a color for the horizontal and circular grid lines.
Show vertical (radial) grid lines box -- Specifies whether to show the vertical grid lines on rectangular graphs and radial grid lines on circular graphs. On circular graphs, the radial grid lines radiate from the center of the graph to the circumference.
Line box -- Specifies a line thickness for the vertical grid lines.
Color box -- Specifies a color for the vertical grid lines.
Show data labels on markers box -- Specifies whether to show data labels on the markers of a graph, where markers are the current type of markers that are displayed on the graph. Data labels display the data value that is being represented by a marker.
Options button -- Displays the Data Label Options dialog box.
Show data tips when mouse is over markers box -- Specifies whether to show the data tips that appear when your mouse is over a marker, where a marker is the current type of marker that is displayed on the graph. The data tips display the data value that is being represented by a marker.
Options button -- Displays the Data Tip Options dialog box.
Select options for the series displayed in your graph box-- Specifies options for the series that your graph displays.
Depending on the type of your graph, some of the following options are available:
Series -- Specifies a series in a graph. Options that appear to the right of this selection correspond to this series. Set values in the All Series row to specify default values or to apply values to every series in the graph. A blank space in the All Series row means that each item is specified independently. To reapply the default value, set the value in the All Series row.
Color -- Specifies a color for the markers in the series. In the All Series row, the Auto setting means that the graph determines the color of each series automatically. If the graph displays more series than it has automatic colors for, the graph repeats the colors that it has.
Line -- Specifies the thickness of the lines that represent the series.
Marker -- In a line graph, specifies a geometric shape for the markers of the series. In the All Series row, the Auto setting means that the graph automatically determines the marker shape for each series.
Y-axis -- In a dual-Y graph, specifies which Y-axis (Y1-axis or Y2-axis) to use as a reference when plotting the data markers in the series. In the All Series row, the Auto assignment means that the graph determines which axis to assign the series to. Normally, Auto means that the second series is assigned to the Y2-axis, and all other series are assigned to the Y1-axis.
Graph as -- In a combination graph, specifies the type of marker to represent the data values in the series, such as a bar, line, or area. In the All Series row, the Auto setting means that the graph automatically determines the marker type for each series.
Fitline -- In a bar, line, area, or combination graph, specifies the type of fitline to display for the series. Fitlines show trends or provide a simplified explanation of the data.