How can I format the y-axis to display durations?

Question

How can I cause the y-axis of this chart to reflect the values in Row 6 [Average Pace (Minutes per Mile)] of the corresponding table in duration format rather than number format. In other words, I need the y-axis to be a list of durations appearing like the figures in Row 6. Also, I need it to begin with the longest duration (10:00) and to climb to the shortest duration (5:00) at the top. I'll should mention that I already tried using the Inspector, but the "Duration" formatting option for the y-axis was not selectable while other formats were. I also tried formatting the y-axis this way to "Same as source data," and this didn't cause it to display durations either, though I had expected it to. Thanks in advance!
Ryan

Answer 1

Hi Ryan,
Numbers can display only numeric values on the Y axis, and those values are always arranged from highest to lowest, with highest at the top.
That said, here's what is possible:
There is, of course, some manipulation of the data involved in this, as well as replacement of the value axis labels with custom labels in a text box.
Here's what's happenng with the man behind the curtain:
While the chart shows the data from row 6, it is actually graphing the data from row 7 (or whatever row you choose to place this data in.
Row 7 uses a formula ( =-60*24*STRIPDURATION(B6) ) to first strip the Duration from the data in row 6, returning a number representing the fraction of a 24 hour day equivalent to the duration in row 6.
It multiplies that number by 24*60 to convert it to the number of minutes (and fractions of minutes) in the duration, and changes the sign of the number to - (negative) so that the shorter values will be higher in the chart.
Selecting row 7 and choosing Line Chart from the Charts Button's  menu produces, with one difference, the chart shown after setting the min and max values on the Y axis to -10 and -5 respectively, and incrementing the number of steps on the Y axis from 4 to 5).
The difference, of course, is that the Y axis value labels all show negatic=ve numbers, with no m to indicate they show 'minutes.' To correct this, insert a text box and enter the six numbers 5 to 10, with each followed by an m and a return.
Select the Text box, change the alignment to Right aligned (with the alignment button in the format bar), then drag the box in front of the Value axis labels with the 5s aligned.
In the Inspector, choose Text inspector, then Text. Use the Space after Paragraph stepper to increase the setting until the 10 in the box aligns with the 10 in the Value Axis labels box. You may have to tweak the height of the chart slightly to achieve this alignment.
Select the chart, then choose the Chart Inspector, then Axis. Use Choose Axis Options (for the Value Axis) to uncheck Show Value Labels.
Regards,
Barry