why can I not format a secondary axis in excel x?
 

Despite being able to graph data on a secondary axis in Microsoft Excel X, I
have been unable to format said axis (ie make it start from a value other
than zero). No amount of trying to click on and select the axis or the
values has helped.

Answer: why can I not format a secondary axis in excel x?
 

Formatting a Secondary Axis in Excel X

To format a secondary axis in Excel X, follow these steps:

1. Create a chart with your data and add a secondary axis by selecting the data you want to plot on the secondary axis, right-clicking on it, and choosing "Format Data Series." In the dialog box that appears, select the "Axis" tab and choose "Secondary Axis."
2. Click on the secondary axis to select it.
3. Right-click on the secondary axis and choose "Format Axis." In the dialog box that appears, you can make a number of formatting changes to the axis, including changing the minimum and maximum values.
4. To change the minimum value of the secondary axis, select the "Scale" tab in the Format Axis dialog box. Under "Minimum," choose "Fixed" and enter the value you want the axis to start at.
5. Make other formatting changes to the secondary axis, such as changing the axis title, changing the font, or changing the line style.
6. Click "OK" to close the Format Axis dialog box.

By following these steps, you should be able to format the secondary axis in your Excel X chart. If you have any other questions or run into any issues, feel free to ask!

Are you saying that double clicking does not bring up the Format dialog box
for the axis?
Try tapping the 'navigation (arrow) keys while watching the Name box. When
it reads Secondary Value.... use the Format menu item to open the dialog box
and then open the Scale tab to set the Min and Max values

best wishes
Bernard

"mackie99" wrote in message
...
Despite being able to graph data on a secondary axis in Microsoft Excel X,
I
have been unable to format said axis (ie make it start from a value other
than zero). No amount of trying to click on and select the axis or the
values has helped.

Mackie -

What kind of axis did you add? Is it a category axis? You will not be able to set
too many scale options for a category axis (as opposed to a value axis). Select
Chart Options from the Chart menu, and click on the Axes tab, to change the type of
axis.

- Jon
-------
Jon Peltier, Microsoft Excel MVP
Peltier Technical Services
Tutorials and Custom Solutions
http://PeltierTech.com/
_______

mackie99 wrote:

Despite being able to graph data on a secondary axis in Microsoft Excel X, I
have been unable to format said axis (ie make it start from a value other
than zero). No amount of trying to click on and select the axis or the
values has helped.

Yes, I have been unable to select the secondary axis for editing. Using the
arrow keys did not work either, only the primary y axis was an option.
Nothing happens when I double-click the secondary axis values, and right
clicking on them (when the mouse reads 'secondary axis') produces no results
either.

I know it is possible to format, because I previously made a graph with
values from 17-20 (rather than 0-20) but when I cut and paste the graph and
change the data series, it refuses to format anything other than the 0-20
range.

Mackie

"Bernard Liengme" wrote:

Are you saying that double clicking does not bring up the Format dialog box
for the axis?
Try tapping the 'navigation (arrow) keys while watching the Name box. When
it reads Secondary Value.... use the Format menu item to open the dialog box
and then open the Scale tab to set the Min and Max values

best wishes
Bernard

"mackie99" wrote in message
...
Despite being able to graph data on a secondary axis in Microsoft Excel X,
I
have been unable to format said axis (ie make it start from a value other
than zero). No amount of trying to click on and select the axis or the
values has helped.

In case someone else has this problem, make sure that the secondary axis is not set to "Automatic" under Chart Options. "Automatic" is ... automatic.