Right. I managed to do some work-around and here is the solution I came up with. I'll see if you have any ideas for an improvement.
I created a chart with 2 series. The first series was to create my range for the column (bar) which was 2500. The second series I created and immediately changed to a Scatter XY graph. It used the values (plotpoints) to get the vertical, but spread them out next to each other left to right rather in the same column. So I fed a hidden column of 1's for the X values to plot them all in the same vertical area. I went in to each data label and formulated the desired label with name & value (rather than just value.
The purpose was to create a vertical risk thermometer. Green on the bottom, yellow in the middle and red on top. The idea is that each risk has a score. Score = Severity * Likelihood * Control Gap. We rate Severity on a scale of 1 to 5. (5 most Severe) We rate Likelihood on a scale of 1 to 5 (5 most Likely). So if something is so severe and very likely, the score at this point is 25. Now we see how we are handling this risk. Is it controlled? Do we have processes and double checks in place? I look at it, say it is managed 90% so, that leaves a gap of 10% (out of 100%) So 25 * 10 is 250. This risk is placed at 250 on the thermometer and falls in a green-ish / yellow-ish area.
To get color in the chart, I made it see-through clear and lined up the cells behind. I would love to find out if there is a way to pick a couple colors and have the chart grade & fade them from one to the next, rather than just one solid color.
