Home / Statistical Tools / Analysis Tools / Run Chart / Preparing Your Data
Preparing Your Data¶
Quantum XL is flexible about data layout. This page explains how different data types behave in run charts and helps you prepare your data correctly.
X Column is Optional
If you don't select an X column, Quantum XL uses sequential observation numbers (1, 2, 3...) as the X-axis. When you do select an X column, Continuous, Integer, Count, and DateTime types are accepted. DateTime columns can only be used as X (not Y). Nominal columns are not allowed as X or Y — use them for GroupBy instead.
How Data Types Work¶
The table below shows what happens when you assign each column type in the Run Chart dialog. Click a numbered badge to see an example using that configuration.
| Data Column | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nominal | Continuous | Integer | Count | DateTime | ||
| Frequency Column | None | Not Allowed | Can be X or Y. Column header names the axis. If no X selected, sequential observation numbers are used. 123 | Can be X or Y. Column header names the axis. If no X selected, sequential observation numbers are used. | Can be X or Y. Column header names the axis. If no X selected, sequential observation numbers are used. | X axis only. Column header names the X-axis. |
| Nominal | — | |||||
| Continuous | — | |||||
| Integer | — | |||||
| Count | — | |||||
| DateTime | — | |||||
— indicates this frequency type is not available for selection. Run Chart does not support frequency columns.
Examples¶
1 Quick Start — Single Y column with auto-generated X-axis
2 With X Column — Date column as explicit X-axis
3 Multiple Y Columns — Compare multiple series overlaid on one chart
GroupBy — Compare trends across segments
Data Layout Options¶
Sequential Y Data (No X Column)¶
The simplest layout. Each row is one observation, plotted in the order it appears.
| Temperature |
|---|
| 72.1 |
| 73.4 |
| 71.8 |
| 74.2 |
Quantum XL plots each value with auto-generated observation numbers (1, 2, 3, 4) on the X-axis.
Y Data with Explicit X Column¶
When you have a corresponding time or index column, include it to display meaningful X-axis labels.
| Date | Temperature |
|---|---|
| 1/1/2025 | 72.1 |
| 1/2/2025 | 73.4 |
| 1/3/2025 | 71.8 |
Select Date as the X column and Temperature as the Y column. The X-axis shows the actual dates.
Common Mistakes¶
Avoid These Issues
- Using DateTime as Y column — DateTime columns can only be used as X, not Y. If you need to track when events occur, use DateTime as X and a numeric measurement as Y.
- Missing data — Rows where the Y value is empty are excluded from the chart. If both X and Y are selected, rows where either is empty are excluded.
- Expecting statistics — Run Chart is a visualization tool only. It does not calculate mean lines, control limits, or runs tests.