Chart Range

[justme]

I have daily information that I am tracking for the year. From this information I am making 12 monthly charts. When I started the file I was able to format the X axis and choose the minimum and the maximum value it would graph (1st day of month/last day of month). The graphs also show the trendline.

For some reason the February chart is set to March. When I click on the X axis and go to format axis option, I no longer have the option to set the minimum and maximum values. The first thing is lets me adjust is the interval between tick marks.

The vertical axis still lets me choose the min and max values.

This is a line chart.

Thank you.

 

[RoryA]

Sounds as though your X axis is now a category axis rather than a timescale one. Check the chart options and change it back.

 

[justme]

Good morning Rory,

The axis options are:

Interval between tick marks: 1
Specify interval unit: 1
Axis type: Automatically select based on data
Major tick mark type: Outside
Vertical axis crosses: automatic
Position axis: Between check marks

 

[RoryA]

Chart Options, not Format Axis options. You should have the choice between Automatic, Category and Timescale. If all your data is valid dates, it ought to default to Automatic and show as timescale, but you can also set it explicitly.

 

[justme]

I'm using 2007. and cannot see where to change this Rory. All the help files actually change the range of data being charted, not restricting the view to only a portion of the data.

 

[RoryA]

Right-click the chart and choose Chart Options. (I think it's still the same in 2007) Not sure what the rest of your comment relates to?

 

[justme]

I will keep trying to find what you are talking about. The rest of the comment is frustration with the help files!!!

Thanks for helping.

 

[RoryA]

Excel 2007's help files, particularly the VBA ones, are awful, IMO!

 

[RoryA]

OK, in 2007 you need the Layout tab in the Chart Tools section, click the Axes dropdown, select primary horizontal axis, more primary horizontal axis options, then change the Axis type to date axis. (much easier than before. not.)

 

[Richard Schollar]

(much easier than before. not.)

Sarcasm? From you?! Surley not!