Ampler Charts lets you combine several series into a single ‘Other’ series — and disband it again, so a long tail of small items doesn’t distract from the few that matter.
Quick answer: Select and right-click one or more series and click Add to Other series; to disband it, right-click and select Remove from Other series.
How to use it
Combine several series into one Other series.
- Select and right-click on one or more series.
- Click Add to Other series to combine them.
- To disband the ‘Other’ series, right-click and select Remove from Other series.
The selected series are combined into a single ‘Other’ series, and can be split back out at any time.
When to use it
Group series into ‘Other’ when a long tail of minor items distracts from the few that matter — it keeps the chart focused on the material series while still accounting for the rest.
How consultants use it
Focusing on the vital few and grouping the long tail is a standard analytical move. Three habits apply:
- Focus on what matters: the material series stand out once the tail is grouped
- Still account for the rest: ‘Other’ keeps the totals correct without the clutter
- Reversible: the group can be disbanded whenever the detail is needed
An ‘Other’ series keeps a chart focused on the series that matter.
Tips & best practices
- Group only the immaterial tail — don’t hide material items in ‘Other’.
- Label the ‘Other’ series so the reader knows what it contains.
- Disband it when the detail becomes relevant.
Availability
Part of Ampler Charts, included in Ampler for PowerPoint and the Ampler Suite, on Windows desktop PowerPoint.
Frequently asked questions
How do you combine small series into one in a chart?
Select and right-click the series in Ampler Charts and click Add to Other series to combine them into a single ‘Other’ series.
What is an ‘Other’ series on a chart?
A single series that combines several small ones, so a long tail of minor items doesn’t clutter the chart while still being accounted for.
How do you split an ‘Other’ series back out?
Right-click it and select Remove from Other series to disband the group.
Should you group material items into ‘Other’?
No — group only the immaterial tail, so nothing that matters to the message is hidden.