Gradient Contour Chart Add-In

Return to The Spreadsheet Page

Excel page

Excel files

Description:

This add-in creates a contour chart from a 2-dimensional range of data. The data values are mapped according to a color gradient. You can select the beginning and ending color, as well as the number of colors to use (from 2 to 56). In addition, you can select either of two "rainbow" gradients.

This type of chart can be useful for data exploration, or to get a quick visual assessment of a set of 2-D data. You may find that this add-in, in many ways, is more versatile than Excel's contour chart (which is a subtype of the surface chart).

The Gradient Contour dialog box is shown below.

Limitation:

Although the chart generated by this add-in looks like a standard Excel chart, it is not. Unlike other charts, the Gradient Contour Chart is not dynamic. In other words, the chart is not updated when the underlying data changes. If your data changes you will need to re-create the chart.

The reason for this limitation is due to the fact that the chart actually consists of a picture that is pasted into the column of a single-column chart.

Options:

  • Data range: Contains the data to be plotted. By default, it's the range that is selected when the dialog box is displayed (but it can be changed).
  • Chart title: Text that will be displayed as the chart's title.
  • Output to Chart sheet: If checked, the chart will be created on a new Chart sheet. Otherwise, it will be an embedded chart.
  • Logarithmic scale: If checked, the data will be transformed to a log scale.
  • Legend: If checked, the chart will display a legend
  • Gridlines: Determines the presence or absence of gridlines. Choose none, vertical, horizontal, or both.
  • Gradient colors: The first two options use a rainbow scale. If Select colors is chosen, use the Change buttons to select the beginning and ending colors.
  • No. colors: The number of color gradients to use. The range is from 2 to 56.


NOTE:
The options you select are saved, and will be in effect the next time you invoke the Gradient Contour Chart dialog box.

Examples:

The example below uses 56 color gradients extending from purple (lowest value) to black (highest value).

The example below uses one of the rainbow gradients (red to blue), with 42 color steps.

Requirements:

This add-in works with Excel 97 or later. However, I've received a few problem reports from Excel 97 users. For best results, you'll want to use Excel 2000 or later.

Cost:

This add-in is free (no strings attached). Those who purchased the VBA source code for PUP v5 will also be able to access the source code for the Gradient Contour Chart add-in.

 Installation:

  1. Download the Gradient Contour Chart add-in (353K). This is a self-extracting EXE file.
  2. Extract the XLA add-in file by double-clicking the gradcontour.exe file (the file you downloaded in Step #1).
  3. Start Excel and select the Tools - Add-Ins command. 
  4. In the Add-Ins dialog box, click the Browse button and locate gradient contour.xla (the file you extracted in Step #2).
  5. Click OK
  6. The Tools menu will display a new menu item: Gradient Contour Chart.

Problems?

Please report any problems to support@j-walk.com