← ACARA Digital Technologies Years 7–8

Adding a second data series to compare groups

Adds a second set of values to a chart so two groups can be compared on the same axes, with a legend to tell them apart.

Part of: ACARA Digital Technologies Years 7–8 — Analysing and Visualising Data — Module 45, ACARA Digital Technologies Years 9–10 — Analysing and Visualising Data — Module 35

Understanding Adding a second data series to compare groups in ACARA Digital Technologies Years 7–8

What it does: Pointing the series name at the header cell (like C1) labels that series in the legend. Each series has its own values range, so the second line uses a different column from the first. The legend is the key. Without it, you can't tell which series is which. Two lines on the same axes let you compare the groups across the days. The Select Data window lets you add a new series and choose its values. Using the same range twice means no real comparison is made between the two groups. The legend is what tells the two series apart, so removing it makes the comparison confusing.

Common mistakes: The series has no range, so the chart has no values to plot. It should be chart.addSeries("Year 7", B2:B6). The Girls series uses the same range as Boys (column B), so both series show identical bars. Girls should use C2:C5.

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This module's key terms are also in a printable crossword (Modules 302–324) and word search (Modules 261–324).

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Learning

Duo

You have a column chart showing Maths marks. You want to compare Maths with English on the same chart. What should you do?

Delete the chart and make a pie chartAdd a second series using Select Data

Matches

Series 2 values: =Sheet1!$B$2:$B$9 (Series 1 is also B2:B9)

↓

Both series use the same column, so the chart shows two identical lines. The second series needs its own column, such as C2:C9.

Applying

Meanings

Term

Add series

Meaning

Adds a second set of values to a chart so two groups can be compared on the same axes, with a legend to tell them apart.

Practice

=ROUND(AVERAGE(C2:C9)-AVERAGE(B2:B9),1)

Testing

Gaps

=(C1,A2:A9,C2:C9,2)

Check Answer

Spots

1chart = new Chart("line")

2chart.addSeries("Year 7")

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Quick Questions

1. You have a column chart showing Maths marks. You want to compare Maths with English on the same chart. What should you do?

A. Delete the chart and make a pie chart

B. Add a second series using Select Data ✓

Adding a second series puts both sets of values on the same axes so they are easy to compare.

2. What does a legend do on a chart with two series?

A. Shows which colour or line matches each group ✓

B. Tells you the highest value in the chart

The legend is the key. Without it, you can't tell which series is which.

3. Which chart type shows two groups side by side for each category?

A. Clustered columns ✓

B. A pie chart with one slice

Clustered columns place a column for each series next to each other in every category.

4. You want to compare daily Max and Min temperatures over a week. Which is the better choice?

A. A line chart with two lines, one for Max and one for Min ✓

B. A line chart with only the Max line

Two lines on the same axes let you compare the groups across the days.

5. Where do you click to add another set of values to an existing chart?

A. Sort, then Filter

B. Select Data, then Add series ✓

The Select Data window lets you add a new series and choose its values.

Match the Pairs

Select Data > Add series → Adds a second set of values to an existing chart so two groups can be compared on the same axes.

Clustered column chart → Shows two series as side-by-side columns for each category, so the groups are easy to compare.

A series name tells the legend which group a set of values belongs to. → Series name: =Sheet1!$C$1

A second line on a line chart needs its own range of values, such as Year 8 scores in column C. → Series values: =Sheet1!$C$2:$C$9

Series 2 values: =Sheet1!$B$2:$B$9 (Series 1 is also B2:B9) → Both series use the same column, so the chart shows two identical lines. The second series needs its own column, such as C2:C9.

Two series added, but the legend is deleted → Without a legend, viewers cannot tell which colour is which group. Turn the legend back on, or label each series clearly.

Key Term

Add series

Adds a second set of values to a chart so two groups can be compared on the same axes, with a legend to tell them apart.

Fill in the Blanks

1. =SERIES(B1,A2:A9,B2:B9,1) =SERIES(C1,A2:A9,C2:C9,2)

Hint: Type the name of the function that defines one data series on a chart.

2. =SERIES(C1,A2:A9,C2:C9,2)

Hint: Type the range of values for the English column, which is the second series.

3. =SERIES(C1,A2:A9,C2:C9,2)

Hint: Type the plot order number for the second series on the chart.

4. =SERIES(C1,A2:A9,C2:C9,2)

Hint: Type the header cell that holds the series name shown in the legend.

5. =SERIES(C1,A2:A9,C2:C9,2)

Hint: Type the range of student names used as category labels that both series share on the axis.

Spot the Error

Question 1

A chart = new Chart("line")

B chart.addSeries("Year 7")

C chart.addSeries("Year 8", C2:C6)

D chart.legend = "on"

Line B — The series has no range, so the chart has no values to plot. It should be chart.addSeries("Year 7", B2:B6).

Question 2

A chart = new Chart("column")

B chart.addSeries("Boys", B2:B5)

C chart.addSeries("Girls", B2:B5)

D chart.legend = "on"

Line C — The Girls series uses the same range as Boys (column B), so both series show identical bars. Girls should use C2:C5.

Question 3

A chart = new Chart("pie")

B chart.addSeries("Cats", B2:B8)

C chart.addSeries("Dogs", C2:C8)

D chart.legend = "on"

Line A — A pie chart shows only one series, so it can't compare two groups. Use a line (or column) chart: new Chart("line").

Question 4

A Right-click the chart

B Choose Format Axis

C Click Add under Legend Entries

D Pick the new series range

Line B — Format Axis only changes how an axis looks. To add a second series you need Select Data.

Question 5

A chart = new Chart("column")

B chart.addSeries("2023", B2:B5)

C chart.addSeries("2024", C2:C5)

D chart.legend = "off"

E chart.title = "Sales by year"

Line D — With the legend off, nobody can tell which columns are 2023 and which are 2024. The legend should be "on".

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