You have posted the same question twice, so I guess you haven't got your
answer yet.

First, you absolutely do not have to delete your data.

Second, we need to be sure what type of chart you are using. Are you using a
line chart or an XY chart?

I suggest an XY chart.

To change the X axis scale for an XY chart, double click the X axis, go to
scale and change the min and max X axis values and interval to what you
want.






"IgorM" wrote in message
...
Given a data set from 1983 to 2000, I would like the x-axis labels to be
1985, 1990, 1995, 2000. I know how to make Excel only show every 5th year,
but I don't know how to make it start with 1985 rather than 1983 without
deleting the 1983 and 1984 data points.