![](https://www.spcforexcel.com/wp-content/uploads/p-Chart-Options.jpg)
Each option is described below.
Out of Control Tests
If you select the Out of Control Tests, the input screen, Tests for Out of Control Points, is displayed.
![](https://www.spcforexcel.com/wp-content/uploads/p-Chart-Control.jpg)
These options include:
- Point beyond the control limits: out of control point if there is a point that is above the upper control or below the lower control
- k points in a row trending up or down: out of control if there are k points in a row trending upward or trending downward; two points in a row that are equal break this trend
- k points in a row in Zone C or beyond (one side of avg): out of control if there is a run of k points in a row above or below the average
- Overcontrol: k points in row alternating up and down: out of control if k points in a row are such that the values alternate up and down
- Set Selected Tests as Defaults: this will set the selected test and k values as defaults for this type of chart
- Reset Tests to Program Defaults: resets the tests to the original program defaults for the type of chart
- Select OK to use selected options
- Select Cancel to revert to previous options
Control Limit Options
If you select the “Control Limit Options” button, the following is displayed.
![](https://www.spcforexcel.com/wp-content/uploads/p-Chart-Control-Limit.jpg)
- Based Control Limits on +/- ___ Sigma: defines how to calculate the control limits; default is +/- 3 sigma
- Target for Average: option to enter a target for the average
- Use Actual Subgroup Size: option to use actual subgroup size to determine control limits if subgroup size varies; default is checked; if not checked, SPC for Excel uses the average subgroup size
- Select OK to use selected options
- Select Cancel to revert to previous options
Titles and Formats
If you select the “Title and Formats” button, the following screen is displayed:
![](https://www.spcforexcel.com/wp-content/uploads/p-Chart-Titles.jpg)
These options include:
- p Chart Title, Y & X Axis Label:
- Title: title at the top of the chart; default is “p Chart”
- Y-Axis Label: label to put on the chart vertical axis; default is “p”
- X-Axis Label: label to put on the chart horizontal axis; default is “Subgroup Number”
- Rounding to Use for Average and Limits on Chart: used to control the number of decimal places in the values of the average and control limits printed on the chart; default is estimated by the software
- Print Average/Limits:
- On Avg. and Limits: prints the values of the average and control limits on the average and control limit lines on the control chart (this is the default)
- In Chart Title: prints the values of the average and control limits in the control chart title
- Dates of Data Collection: enter the start and end dates of data collection; optional; dates will be plotted at the bottom of the chart
- Use Percent for Y Axis: default is to use percent for the p chart; if not checked, the p chart will display proportions.
- Show Last K Points Only: option to show only the last K points of the chart; calculations include all the data but only the last K points will be shown
- Select OK to use selected options
- Select Cancel to revert to previous options
Manual Control Limits
If you select the “Manual Control Limits” button, the following screen is displayed:
![](https://www.spcforexcel.com/wp-content/uploads/p-Chart-Manual.jpg)
These options include:
- Average: enter the average to be used in the calculations
- Enter p Chart Limits: if you select this option, you must enter at least one of the UCL, centerline, and LCL; the software will calculate the values that are not entered
- UCL: enter the upper control limit
- Center Line: enter the center line value
- LCL: enter the lower control limit
- Select OK to use selected options
- Select Cancel to revert to previous options
Chart Location
If you select the “Chart Location” button, the following screen is displayed.
![](https://www.spcforexcel.com/wp-content/uploads/p-Chart-Location.jpg)
These options are:
- New Chart Sheet: places the chart on a new chart sheet (default)
- In Worksheet with Data: places the chart on the worksheet containing the data
- In New Worksheet: places both the on a new worksheet
- Select OK to use selected options
- Select Cancel to revert to previous options
Notes:
- Once a control chart is made, you can move the chart to new locations in the workbook. The software will find the chart when updating.
- This option is not available when a chart’s options are updated since you can manually move the charts to new locations in the workbook