Hi,

If the line is rising from zero it would suggest that the periods before
real values contain a value or formula that the chart is treating as
zero. Either make sure the cells are really empty or your formula uses
NA() for non values.

Note this will not a vertical jump in the line rather the line will
simply being at the Y value for that period. If you want a vertical line
you will need to include an extra data point that has the period and a
zero value. You then need to ensure the x axis is being plotted as true
values and not categories other wise a double set of data for that
period will be shown.
Another way to get the dropline to zero would be to use custom Y Error
bars, where only that period has a drop of the value for that period.

Cheers
Andy

wrote:
howdy

ive got a chart which gives production values by year for different
countries. the problem is one country starts production in the middle
of the data range and so excel draws the line from zero at the year
before, so it rises slowly.
i want the graph to jump straight to its value at the year production
commences; how can i do this?

(sorry if this is unclear, i would add a picture but i dont have
hosting or anything!)

thanks!


--

Andy Pope, Microsoft MVP - Excel
http://www.andypope.info