In trying to plot a scatter graph from the "Select data for plotting" dialog -- this is about as simple as it gets -- I highlight my X range and click the X button, highlight the Y range and click the Y button, and highlight the corresponding label range anc click the Label button. I then click the plot button and get a message saying that "To make this plot, you need to select columns designated as 'XY'. I've tried using F1 at this point for help, but all that does is bring up the Origin help index. Help doesn't have anything to say about this problem, and I couldn't find anything in the forum, either.

Is this something that has to be done from an Origin worksheet? Is it not possible from an Excel workbook?

I'm running Origin 6.0 after the SR2 patch.

Thanks a zillion!

Mark

Origin uses a left, right association in the worksheet. Certain designations are dependent upon others. In this case the label column needs to have its associated Y column to the immediate left of it.

When plotting from Excel workbooks, Origin uses this type of association. This is the same as highlighting columns of data in an Origin worksheet and clicking on a plot type. However, if you did not highlight the data first, the Select Columns for Plotting dialog box would open. Here you can assign columns as X, Y, Label, etc. independent of their association in the worksheet.

It would seem that when plotting from Excel and using the Select Data for Plotting dialog that it should work the same as the Select Columns for Plotting dialog. I am going to make a note of this for our development.

My suggestion to you would be to either move columns in the Excel workbook or open the Excel file as an Origin worksheet.

-Laurie
Microcal Technical Support