Plotting a graph using a Winstats data table

In the first part of the tutorial, we took a look at putting data into Winstats. In this part, you will learn how to turn this data into a graph.

We have our data table as shown below.

Now, it is time to graph this data. Click on the Plot menu, then click on 2D Plot 1. You will see scatter plots window appear.

Your hori axis is usually set to column 1. In this case, it would be our Time column. The horizontal (x) axis refers to the independent data from your experiment. The numbers in the box under vert axis are the numbers that represent a column (of data) from your data table. These columns represent your dependent data from your experiment.

In our data table, our dependent data column is column 2 (Dist (m)) and it represents distance. So, we select 2 from the vertical axis listbox.

When we're done, we click OK. Winstats will now draw a graph that should resemble the image below:

The graph is OK so far, but we need to add a grid to it, and fix the scale. First though, you should know that the text labels that appear on the bottom and on the left are the same as what we typed into the data table where it said vbl 1, etc.

SETTING THE PRINT SETTINGS AND WIDTH
The window size needs to be adjusted so that it will print properly. To set the size for the window, go to the File menu, and click on Image Size.

I recommend using a size of 15 cm because it seems to work the best usually. Change the height to 15 cm as well.

Next, click on the File menu again, and click on Format.

The width should be the same as the image size width, which is our case, is 15cm. Notice how you are not asked for a height. Winstats will use whatever window height is when printing.

The offset of upper left corner should usually just be left alone. Put a check mark beside frame image to have Winstats draw a box around the whole graph when it prints, and check color printer if you have a colour printer. When you click Ok, you may not see any change to the graph on the screen. The changes will be seen on your printed version though!

GRID & SCALE
To make it easier to read the graph, we're going to add a grid to the graph as well as a proper scale. Winstats is currently only displaying the lowest and highest data table values along the axis.

Click on the View menu, and then click on Grid to display the grid window.

We're going to change various options here.

First, ensure that the axes checkbox is checked. The two checkboxes appearing under scale should also be checked. These options allow the scale to appear on the graph along the axes. You may also want to adjust the interval settings if the default setting is not appropriate for your data.

To add a grid to graph, make sure the rectangular checkbox is checked. You can optionally click on the arrows and labels checkboxes as well to add those elements to your graph.

When you're ready to proceed, click on the apply button, and then click on close. The settings will be applied to your graph, and we'll almost be done.

ADDING A TITLE
All graphs need a title. To add a title, you'll need to go to the Btns menu and click on Text mode. A check mark will now appear beside the menu item you just clicked. (if it is already checked when you go to click it, don't click it.)

Now, you can right-click anywhere on the Graph window. When you do, you'll see a new window appear.

You can adjust the font and color settings if you wish, but it's not necessary. I recommend that you make sure there is no check mark next to opaque background. This causes the text to cover up any date points or lines it happens to be over, and we don't want that. You can type a title in the text box and then click OK.

Now, we have a title. The problem is that Winstats usually doesn't put it where you want it. Simply click and drag on the title you created to move it elsewhere on the graph (like the top, where it belongs). You can right-click on the title to edit it, or change its font, etc.

LINE OF BEST FIT
Since this graph is obviously not a straight line, we're probably going to need a line of best fit. If you don't need to have a line of best fit, then skip this step.

To create a line of best fit, go to the Line menu, and click on Med-med. You'll see something like this:

Winstats has created a perfect line of best fit. The new text you see at the bottom, "Y = 10.00X+0.00", is the equation for the line of best fit. This may or may be useful to you.

PRINTING A GRAPH
Our paper print-out should look very similar to this graph window when we print it now. To print a graph, go to the File menu, and click on Print. You're done!