Time Series

Location: Utilities > Stats > Time Series

The Time Series program plots as many as ten numeric columns in vertically stacked tracks. Every track uses the same date/time axis, but may have its own rendering style, vertical scale, and direction. Data may come from the current RockWorks datasheet, a delimited text file, or an Excel workbook.

Data requirements

The first data column must contain a recognizable date or date/time. Place the numeric variables in subsequent columns. Column titles are used as the track labels on both sides of the diagram.

Date	Groundwater Elevation (ft)	Stream Flow (cfs)	Precipitation (in)	Water Temperature (C)
1/1/2023	5249.97	18.0	0.70	5.2
2/1/2023	5251.04	20.0	0.90	6.4

Rows with a blank or unrecognized date are skipped. Blank or nonnumeric values in a selected data column are treated as missing. A missing value breaks a curve and its fill region, or omits a bar; it is not plotted as zero.

Data Source tab

Setting	Description
Current Datasheet	Uses the datasheet currently open in RockWorks. No external filename or heading option is required.
Text / CSV File	Reads a delimited text file. Select the file, delimiter, and whether its first row contains column titles.
Excel Workbook	Reads an Excel workbook. Select the workbook, worksheet number, and whether its first row contains column titles.

After changing the source, review the selections on the Tracks tab because the available columns are rebuilt from the newly selected source.

Diagram Settings tab

Setting	Description
Diagram Title	Optional title plotted above the diagram.
Title Font Size	Sets the title size relative to the standard Time Series annotation size.
Width/Height Ratio	Controls the overall proportions. Larger values make the completed diagram shorter relative to its width.
Dates Above	Plots date/time annotations along the top of the diagram.
Dates Below	Plots date/time annotations along the bottom of the diagram.
Date Font Size	Sets the date/time annotation size relative to the standard track annotation size.
Date Angle	Plots date/time labels horizontally, vertically, or diagonally. Upper and lower diagonal labels are mirrored away from the diagram.

When dates are plotted above the diagram, the title is shifted upward automatically to clear horizontal, vertical, or diagonal labels.

Tracks tab

Each row represents one possible track. Check Plot to include the row and choose its Data Column. Move the pointer over a row to make it active; a red rectangle identifies the active checkbox and column selector, while that track's settings appear to the right.

Rendering

Setting	Description
Render as Bars	Plots filled rectangles instead of a point-to-point curve. Bar width is based on the nearest valid neighboring observation and is clipped at the diagram boundary.
Show Data Points	Plots a black filled circle at every valid observation. Points are drawn last so curves, fills, grid lines, and other diagram objects cannot cover them.
Point Size	Scales the black point circles for the active track. It has no effect when Show Data Points is unchecked.

Appearance

Setting	Description
Line Style/Color	Defines the color, width, and pattern of a curve. For bars, the selected color is used for the fill and border; bar borders are solid and one pixel thick.
Fill Below Curve	Fills the region between each uninterrupted curve segment and the bottom of its track. Missing or excluded values break the filled region.
Fill Color	Selects the color used beneath the curve. It is available only when Fill Below Curve is enabled and the track is rendered as a curve.

Vertical Scale

Setting	Description
Automatic	Calculates a separate linear range for the track and adds a small margin beyond its valid values.
Manual	Uses the specified Minimum and Maximum. Values outside this range are omitted and break curves and fills.
Logarithmic	Uses a base-10 logarithmic scale. Zero and negative values cannot be plotted and break curves and fills.
Minimum / Maximum	Define the displayed limits when Manual is selected. Maximum must be greater than Minimum.
Values Increase Downwards	Reverses the vertical direction so larger values are plotted toward the bottom of the track.

Time Filter tab

Enable the Time Filter to restrict the diagram to observations within the selected date/time interval. The filter is applied after the source is read and before ranges, bars, fills, points, and date labels are calculated. It applies equally to the current datasheet, text/CSV files, and Excel files.

Output Options

Use the standard Output Options page to display the completed diagram in RockPlot2D, save it as an Rw2D file, and/or export it using the available chart export formats. Saving an Rw2D file preserves the individual axis, date, title, and track layers for later editing.

How the diagram is constructed

The selected source is read and valid observations are sorted chronologically.
The optional Time Filter is applied.
Tracks without usable numeric values are omitted; the remaining tracks divide the available height equally.
Horizontal positions represent actual elapsed time, so longer gaps between observations appear wider.
Each track is scaled and oriented independently.
Fills, curves, bars, axes, labels, and title are generated in separate RockPlot2D layers.
Optional black data-point circles are generated last.

Sample file

Open Time_Series_1.RwDat from the RockWorks Data Samples folder for a ready-to-use example. It contains 48 monthly observations spanning 2023 through 2026 and ten synthetic geological and hydrological variables.

Values in the sample file are fictitious and intended only to demonstrate the program. Do not use them for scientific, engineering, regulatory, or safety decisions.

Troubleshooting

Message or symptom	What to check
No diagram is produced	Confirm that at least one Plot box is checked and that its selected column contains numeric values.
No valid dates	Confirm that the first source column contains dates recognized by Windows using the current regional settings, and review the Time Filter.
No positive data for logarithmic scaling	Select Automatic or Manual scaling, or choose a column containing values greater than zero.
Manual maximum must be greater than minimum	Increase Maximum or decrease Minimum. Equal limits cannot define a vertical range.
External source cannot be read	Confirm the filename, delimiter or worksheet number, heading-row option, and that the file is not damaged or inaccessible.
Unexpected column plotted	Return to the Tracks tab and review column selections after changing the data source or heading-row option.

Tips

Use consistent date formatting and include times when multiple observations occur on the same day.
Select only the variables needed for comparison; fewer tracks give each variable more vertical space.
Use bars for distinct interval or observation values and curves when the progression between observations is meaningful.
Use Show Data Points when the measured observations should remain distinct from the connecting curve or filled region.
Use Manual scaling when several diagrams must share the same numeric limits.
Use contrasting colors when tracks may later be compared or combined in RockPlot2D.

Updated for the expanded Time Series implementation, September 2026.