WPS Spreadsheet: Reduce Gaps for Missing Categories in a Column Chart
Question details
The user needs to reduce large gaps in a column chart when some categories have no values for certain years.
- Product
- WPS Spreadsheet
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- A chart contains species or other categories with missing values in some periods, and the user wants the chart to display the remaining data more clearly.
- Observed behavior
- Blank source values create noticeable gaps or missing columns in the chart, making comparisons and trends harder to read.
Review the source table and decide whether each missing value means no observation, a true zero, or data that should be excluded. Keep the category and year headers consistent before editing the chart.
Switch to a line chart and connect points across empty cells
Use this option when the main goal is to show trends across years and missing categories should not create distracting visual gaps.
A line chart is often clearer than a column chart when values are missing in some periods. Connecting points across empty cells can show the trend without adding empty columns for unavailable categories.
Click the existing column chart in WPS Spreadsheet to display the chart editing tools.
Open the chart design or chart type menu, choose Line, and select a line chart layout that fits the data series.
Right-click the chart and choose Select Data, then open the Hidden and Empty Cells settings if that option is available.
Set empty cells to display as Connect data points with line, then click OK to apply the change.
Replace blanks or filter missing categories in the column chart
Use this option when the column format must remain and the data meaning supports zeros or excluding categories without observations.
Create clearer charts for incomplete time-series data in WPS Spreadsheet
WPS Spreadsheet lets you edit chart types, adjust how empty cells are plotted, and prepare the source range so incomplete yearly data is easier to understand. Use a line chart for trends or retain a column chart with meaningful zeros and filtered categories.
- 1. Open the workbook: Launch WPS Spreadsheet and open the XLS or XLSX workbook containing the chart.
- 2. Select the chart: Click the chart, then use the chart design or chart type controls to choose a line chart when trend visibility is the priority.
- 3. Set empty-cell behavior: Right-click the chart, choose Select Data, open Hidden and Empty Cells, and select Connect data points with line when appropriate.
- 4. Correct the source data: Return to the source table and enter zeros only for true zero values, or use Data > Filter to exclude categories with no meaningful observations.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does a column chart show large gaps when categories are missing?
The chart preserves the category positions from the source range. When a category has a blank value for a year, WPS Spreadsheet leaves an empty position instead of creating a visible column.
Should I enter zero instead of leaving a missing value blank?
Enter zero only when the category was measured and its value is genuinely zero. Leave the cell blank or exclude the category when the value is unknown or was not recorded.
How can I connect chart points across blank cells?
Select the chart, choose Select Data from the chart context menu, open Hidden and Empty Cells, and choose Connect data points with line if that setting is available.
Is a line chart better than a column chart for missing yearly data?
A line chart is usually clearer for showing trends across time, especially when some periods have no values. Use a column chart when comparing discrete category totals is more important.
Can WPS Spreadsheet edit an Excel chart with missing categories?
Yes. Open the XLS or XLSX file in WPS Spreadsheet, select the chart, and use its chart type, data range, filtering, and empty-cell settings to adjust the display.
