Line Chart with multiple series that have different date ranges
 

I am creating a line chart that has several data series. The problem is that
the data is associated with dates but not all series have the same start and
endd date.
Example: I want to compare the average monthly wind speeds at different
airports and plot them them on one chart. But I have date from July, 2001 -
July 2008 for airport 1; Sept 2000 - May 2008 for airport 2 and so on.... I
want to show the earliest date to the latest date on the x-axis with the
lines starting and ending were approriate. But Excel will only use one of my
data time ranges for all the series.

Answer: Line Chart with multiple series that have different date ranges
 

1. Enter your data into Excel, including the dates and values for each series.
2. Select all of your data, including the dates and values for each series.
3. Click on the "Insert" tab in the ribbon.
4. Click on the "Line" chart type.
5. Select the chart subtype that you want to use.
6. Excel will create a chart with all of your data, but the x-axis will only show the dates for one of your series.
7. Right-click on the chart and select "Select Data" from the context menu.
8. In the "Select Data Source" dialog box, click on the "Add" button.
9. In the "Edit Series" dialog box, enter a name for your new series.
10. In the "Series X values" field, select the dates for your new series.
11. In the "Series Y values" field, select the values for your new series.
12. Click "OK" to close the "Edit Series" dialog box.
13. Repeat steps 8-12 for each of your series.
14. Once you have added all of your series, click "OK" to close the "Select Data Source" dialog box.
15. Your chart should now show all of your series with their respective date ranges on the x-axis.
16. You can format your chart as desired, including adding a legend and axis titles.

By following these steps, you should be able to create a line chart with multiple series that have different date ranges in Excel.

Line Chart with multiple series that have different date ranges
 

If you don't need a line chart for the nice date axis configuration, use an
XY chart.

If you like the nice date axis, create a line chart with the first series.
Copy the X & Y data for the second, select the chart, use Paste Special to
add the data as a new series. Right click on the added series, choose Chart
Type, and change it to an XY chart type. Then double click on it and choose
Primary Axis on the Axis tab. Repeat the process for all additional series.

- Jon
-------
Jon Peltier, Microsoft Excel MVP
Tutorials and Custom Solutions
Peltier Technical Services, Inc. - http://PeltierTech.com
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"Rach7110" wrote in message
...
I am creating a line chart that has several data series. The problem is
that
the data is associated with dates but not all series have the same start
and
endd date.
Example: I want to compare the average monthly wind speeds at different
airports and plot them them on one chart. But I have date from July,
2001 -
July 2008 for airport 1; Sept 2000 - May 2008 for airport 2 and so on....
I
want to show the earliest date to the latest date on the x-axis with the
lines starting and ending were approriate. But Excel will only use one of
my
data time ranges for all the series.