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#1
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how to show date on the x axis of a line chart?
I have three columns of data. The first column is date in the format of
dd-mmm-yy hh:mm:ss. The second and third columns have the real data I like to chart for. I select three columns of data and draw a line chart, but date doesn't show up in x axis. How do I fix this? Thanks much for your help! Ginger |
#2
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select the two lines of data other than the date and make your chart with
them using <Chart<sourse data<series enter the x axis data in the approrite location. "Ginger" wrote: I have three columns of data. The first column is date in the format of dd-mmm-yy hh:mm:ss. The second and third columns have the real data I like to chart for. I select three columns of data and draw a line chart, but date doesn't show up in x axis. How do I fix this? Thanks much for your help! Ginger |
#3
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Ginger,
Excel is reading your original X axis values as a time format. If you double-click on your X axis label, you'll see in the Format Axis dialog box - Scale tab that the minimum time X axis value is one day. Given that you're tracking hours, the one-day minimum value will not work for you. To get around this limitation, add a helper column to your chart source. Assuming your original data looks like this and is in the range A1:C6: Time Entry Series1 Series2 05-Jan-05 01:00:00 5 5 05-Jan-05 02:00:00 4 3 05-Jan-05 03:00:00 6 4 05-Jan-05 04:00:00 7 6 05-Jan-05 05:00:00 8 5 add a helper column to column B. In the example below I've titled the helper column "Text Entry". Enter the following formula to cell B2 and copy it down column B: =TEXT(A2,"yy-mmm-dd hh:mm:ss") The revised data set look like this in the range A1:D6. Time Entry Text Entry Series1 Series2 05-Jan-05 01:00:00 05-Jan-05 01:00:00 5 5 05-Jan-05 02:00:00 05-Jan-05 02:00:00 4 3 05-Jan-05 03:00:00 05-Jan-05 03:00:00 6 4 05-Jan-05 04:00:00 05-Jan-05 04:00:00 7 6 05-Jan-05 05:00:00 05-Jan-05 05:00:00 8 5 Column B will now be interpretted as a text entry that looks just like a time entry. Finally, create your chart using column B instead of column A as the X axis. If you use the Chart Wizard, select the range B1:B6 to create the chart. ---- Regards, John Mansfield http://www.pdbook.com "Ginger" wrote: I have three columns of data. The first column is date in the format of dd-mmm-yy hh:mm:ss. The second and third columns have the real data I like to chart for. I select three columns of data and draw a line chart, but date doesn't show up in x axis. How do I fix this? Thanks much for your help! Ginger |
#4
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If your x-values are not equivally spaced, there is little in practical
terms that one can do with a line chart. However, a XY Scatter chart just might be what the doctor ordered. -- Regards, Tushar Mehta www.tushar-mehta.com Multi-disciplinary business expertise + Technology skills = Optimal solution to your business problem Recipient Microsoft MVP award 2000-2005 In article , says... I have three columns of data. The first column is date in the format of dd-mmm-yy hh:mm:ss. The second and third columns have the real data I like to chart for. I select three columns of data and draw a line chart, but date doesn't show up in x axis. How do I fix this? Thanks much for your help! Ginger |
#5
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Except that using a Line chart gives you more control over the display of the axis
(try to put a tick mark on just the first of every month in an XY Scatter chart), and the points are proportionally spaced by day, and the times of day are ignored. - Jon ------- Jon Peltier, Microsoft Excel MVP Peltier Technical Services Tutorials and Custom Solutions http://PeltierTech.com/ _______ Tushar Mehta wrote: If your x-values are not equivally spaced, there is little in practical terms that one can do with a line chart. However, a XY Scatter chart just might be what the doctor ordered. |
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