Issue 18204 - how to make a histogram using data in spreadsheet?
Summary: how to make a histogram using data in spreadsheet?
Status: CLOSED IRREPRODUCIBLE
Alias: None
Product: General
Classification: Code
Component: chart (show other issues)
Version: 3.3.0 or older (OOo)
Hardware: All All
: P5 (lowest) Trivial (vote)
Target Milestone: ---
Assignee: rcy3cornelledu
QA Contact: issues@sc
URL:
Keywords:
Depends on:
Blocks:
 
Reported: 2003-08-13 23:37 UTC by rcy3cornelledu
Modified: 2013-02-24 21:21 UTC (History)
1 user (show)

See Also:
Issue Type: FEATURE
Latest Confirmation in: ---
Developer Difficulty: ---

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Description rcy3cornelledu 2003-08-13 23:37:50 UTC 
I write to request a histogram feature for the spreadsheet program, or an entry 
in the help file leading entry-level users through the process.

Histograms are useful for summarizing data, such as student grades, where you 
need to count the number of data points that fall into certain, usually evenly-
spaced, numerical ranges.

I'm using OpenOffice 1.0.2 on Windows XP (Pro SP1), and when I search 
for "histogram" in the help file, I get the "No topics found" message.

To make a histogram of values in column A1:A1000, I need:
 + a column B1:B10 of bin boundaries
 + a column D1:D10 of CONCATENATE(">=";Bi) as criteria for COUNTIF
 + a column E1:E10 of COUNTIF($A$1:$A$1000;Di) with the number of values to the 
right of the current bin boundary
 + a column C1:C10 of (E1-E2) with the number of values in each bin
And then I make a chart with the data in B1:C10.

It would be nice if the user could instead use a function to produce column C, 
skipping D and E.
Comment 1 Regina Henschel 2003-08-14 09:21:23 UTC 
It's allready there, see Array Function FREQUENCY
Comment 2 frank 2003-08-14 10:09:46 UTC 
Hi Bjoern,

I think it's on your list but I'm not sure. So please comment.

Changing component to Chart.

Frank
Comment 3 bjoern.milcke 2003-08-14 10:39:24 UTC 
If I understand this correctly, this is not about histogram charts in
general, but about a new formula easing the calculation of the
necessary data.

I think Reginas answer may be the solution for the request.

On histogram charts: Currently the column-chart (vertical 'bars') does
only support category axes, i.e., it is necessary that the x-values
are evenly-spaced.  A real histogram chart type is currently not
planned, but the new chart engine will ease the integration of such a
type.

->rcy3cornelledu: Is your problem solved with the FREQUENCY feature?
Comment 4 rcy3cornelledu 2003-08-15 22:00:57 UTC 
FREQUENCY works for me.  Thanks, Regina!

Would it be possible to add the keyword "histogram" to the 
description for FREQUENCY?  I downloaded the OpenOffice 1.1 help 
sources and couldn't find the word anywhere in the OOo-
1.1_help_src_01/source/01/text subdirectory tree.

Finally, I agree with Bjoern's comment about histogram charts.  
Variable-width bars would be nice.
Comment 5 rcy3cornelledu 2003-09-01 06:32:57 UTC 
In what category should I put my suggestion for the help file?
Comment 6 kla 2004-06-04 11:14:17 UTC 
closed as works for me