Inserting Phase Change Lines into Microsoft Excel® Graphs

Abstract

Microsoft Excel® is a popular graphing tool used by behavior analysts to visually display data. However, this program is not always friendly to the graphing conventions used by behavior analysts. For example, adding phase change lines has typically been a cumbersome process involving the insertion of line objects that do not move when new data is added to a graph. The purpose of this article is to describe a novel way to add phase change lines that move when new data is added and when graphs are resized.

Automating Phase Change Lines and Their Labels Using Microsoft Excel(R)

“…Secondly, it operates with dates, time series, and session data. However, if the x-axis is comprised of non-numeric text data, then the reader should make a template using instructions outlined by Dubuque (2015) and attach the data labels to the clustered column which serves as the phase change line.…”

“…Researchers recognize that behavior analysts constantly need to update and create new graphs to cater to their client caseloads, and therefore minimizing any steps in that process could offer valuable time-savings (Cole & Witts, 2015;Deochand et al, 2015;Dixon et al, 2009;Dubuque, 2015). Previous task analyses have recommended utilizing text boxes linked to cells in order to save the time of filling each phase label individually in all graphs (Deochand et al, 2015).…”

“…Previous task analyses have recommended utilizing text boxes linked to cells in order to save the time of filling each phase label individually in all graphs (Deochand et al, 2015). While this can potentially save time, the limitation of creating phase labels with text boxes is that they are not fixed in position when additional data are inserted (Dubuque, 2015). Therefore, any procedures that can eliminate this step should be shared with practicing behavior analysts.…”

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Abstract Many researchers have rallied against drawn in graphical elements and offered ways to avoid them, especially regarding the insertion of phase change lines (Deochand, Costello, & Fuqua, 2015;Dubuque, 2015;Vanselow & Bourret, 2012). However, few have offered a solution to automating the phase labels, which are often utilized in behavior analytic graphical displays (Deochand et al, 2015).

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Creating Functional Analysis Graphs Using Microsoft Excel® 2016 for PCs

“…It is important to note that the methods described in this tutorial represent one way to create single-subject graphs, and there are other methods which users may prefer. In particular, Dubuque (2015) describes how to input condition lines using gradient and transparency options, and also provides instructions for creating condition labels (rather than using a legend, which is included in this tutorial). Deochand (2017) describes a method for inputting condition lines using error bars, whereas the current tutorial describes how to input condition lines by creating a data series.…”