Scaling Tab – Graph Format Command

Changes the scaling, units and axis tick marks on the active graph

The available Scaling options allow you to rescale the current graph, set the number of X and Y axis ticks, set the scale factor with which values are displayed and display gridlines on the graph. You can also select to have BestFit automatically scale the X and Y axis of a graph.

Note: X-axis scaling can also be changed by dragging the delimiters at the X-axis endpoints using the mouse directly on the graph.

• Automatically Scale. Specifies that BestFit will automatically calculate X or Y axis minimum and maximum values based on the range and probabilities of the data displayed in the graph.

Note: Clicking the AutoScale button in the top right corner of a graph selects the Automatically Scale option and rescales the graph.

• X-Axis Maximum. Enters the X-axis maximum value for the current graph. This specifies the maximum value shown on the horizontal X-axis of the displayed graph. Values are entered in terms of actual values with all digits. Using the current scale factor, BestFit converts those values to the appropriate units (in thousands, in millions, etc.) for display. X-axis scaling may be adjusted to include all of a distribution or just a portion of it. This allows you to view only a piece of a distribution when more detail is desired.
• X-Axis Minimum. Enters the X-axis minimum value for the current graph. Information given for the X-maximum option also applies to X-minimum.
• Y-Axis Maximum. Enters the Y-axis maximum value for the current graph. This specifies the maximum probability value displayed on the Y-axis.
• Y-Axis Minimum. Enters the Y-axis minimum value for the current graph.
• # of Ticks. Defines the number of ticks drawn on the X-axis or Y-axis between the origin and the extreme values.
• Scale Factor. Sets the factor used in displaying units on the X- and Y-axis in BestFit graphs. Factors are entered as the listed unit names (thousands, millions, etc.) or as powers of 10.
• Show Scale Factor Label. Specifies that the scale factor will be labeled on the X and Y axes.
• Show Grid Lines. Specifies if Y or X-axis grid lines are to be displayed.

When BestFit initially scales a graph it calculates a default scale factor based on the magnitude of the values displayed in the graph. Entering a new scale factor causes the units displayed (i.e., in thousands, in millions, etc.) to change.

• Save As Default. Sets the selected options in the Graph Format dialog as the default for all graphs.