Automated Graphing Question

[kpark91]

Hello

I have a worksheet like the link below.

I have downloaded this off of internet but I don't remember where.

It automatically graphs one equation to my liking perfectly using no macros but rather names

I think I kind of understand how the name "x" works and all the others.
x =xStart1+xRange1/(xNumberOfPoints1-1)*(ROW(OFFSET(Sheet1!$A$1,0,0,xNumberOfPoints1,1))-1)

However, I'm having a problem understanding what the person did for "y"
y =EVALUATE(Sheet1!$B$1 & "+0*x")


I am trying to understand these so that I could plot 3 equations in one graph
If I exactly know how x and y formulas work, I think I can do it

Could you please explain it to this noobie?

Thank you :)

[HansV]

You probably downloaded ChartAnEquation.zip from Jan Karel Pieterse's JKP-ADS Download page. A detailed explanation is provided in his article Chart an Equation.

EVALUATE is an old function from the time that Excel didn't have VBA but a specialized macro language. It takes a string (text) expression and computes the outcome of this expression if were an Excel formula (by placing = before the expression). Such macro functions cannot be used directly in a cell formula, but you can use them in defined names, and you can use those in cell formulas.

Cell B1 on Sheet1 contains the text X^2. The expression EVALUATE(Sheet1!$B$1) computes the result of the formula =X^2.

The rather strange addition & "+0*x" is a trick. EVALUATE works with user-defined expressions but not with built-in functions such as SIN. By concatenating the expression in B1 with +0*x, you turn it into a user-defined expression regardless of what B1 contains.

In this particular example, B1 already contains a user-defined expression, so the addition isn't really required, but it won't do any harm either. If you enter SIN(X) in B1, however, it wouldn't work any more without the addition.

[kpark91]

Thank you very much HansV :)

Hopefully, I can graph 3 equations in the same graph now.

If not, could you give me a hand later (as in tomorrow)?

[HansV]

Just ask if necessary...