Data Series

An ETBX plot data series is a group of related data points that is assigned a unique color or pattern and is represented in the plot legend. Each data point in a series is defined by a numeric X and Y values. Data series are displayed on a plot area using marker symbols and lines. Each plot may contain any number of data series.

Selecting A Data Series

To select a data series, click on the series you want to select. The selected series will be highlighted with solid rectangular markers to show that it is active.

Showing And Hiding Data Series

To show or hide a data series, use the Show/Hide Series dialog box. To open the dialog box using the menubar, choose the Plot -> Show/Hide Series menu item. To open the dialog box using a context menu, right-click anywhere in the plot area and choose the Show/Hide Series menu item.

The Show/Hide Series dialog box contains a list of all data series in the plot. Deselect a series in the list to hide it. Note that the corresponding legend entry will be removed from the display also. Select a series in the list to display it on the plot.

Editing A Data Series

To edit a data series, use the Source Data dialog box. To open the dialog box using the menubar, choose the Plot -> Source Data menu item. To open the dialog box using a context menu, right-click anywhere in the plot area and choose the Source Data menu item.

The Source Data dialog box is describe in detail in the Modifying Plot Data section.

Series Properties

To change the way a series is displayed, open its properties dialog box by double-clicking on it; or right-click on the series and select the Format Data Series... menu item.

The Series dialog box has 3 tabs that define the various display properties: the Series tab, the Font tab, and the Number tab. The sections that follow describe each tab in detail.

When you are done editing series display properties, click the OK button to accept your edits. If the Apply To Series X In All Plots box is selected, the new display properties will be applied to the corresponding series for all plots in the plot panel.

Series Tab

Use the Series tab to change the display attributes of data lines, symbols, and labels.

The Line group shows the current line style, weight, and color. Click the down arrow next to the Style box to see a list of line styles (solid, dashed, etc.) and change the current style. Click the up and down arrows next to the Weight input to change the line thickness. Click on the Color box to open the Color dialog and select a new line color. Select the Smoothed Line box to use smoothed splines instead of straight lines to connect data points. This option only changes the way the lines are displayed; the data is not affected. Select the Antialiased Line box to soften the jagged edges of diagonal lines when displayed on your computer screen.

The Marker group shows the active symbol style, size, and color. Click the down arrow next to the Symbol box to see a list of symbol types and change the current symbol. Click the up and down arrows next to the Size input to change the symbol size. Click on the Color box to open the Color dialog and select a new color for the marker symbol.

The Labels group specifies whether labels will be displayed at each series data point. Data labels show the X and Y values of the data point using the display attributes defined by the Font and Number tabs.

Font Tab

Use the Font tab to change the data label typeface, style, color, and size.

Number Tab

Use the Number tab to specify a number format for data labels.

The Format input group lets you define custom number formats. The Sample input group lets you enter an arbitrary numeric value and see how it looks when the current format is applied.

Two basic types of numeric formats are available in the Number tab. The Scientific format has the general form d.dddE+ddd. There is exactly one digit to the left of the decimal point. The number of digits to the right of the decimal point is set by the Displayed Precision input field. The Decimal format has the general form d.ddd. The number of digits to the left of the decimal point can vary. The number of digits to the right of the decimal point is set by the Displayed Precision input field.

A detailed description of other format parameters is given below.