Start Date on X Axis

[Frank C]

I have a simple bar chart where I want the date in the form of mo/dy to start
at 9/12 and go to 9/17 on the X axis.
I have the form and increment correct but I can't get the start date correct
I am trying to use the scale tab on format axis.
What does Value (Y) axis crosses at mean also, between dates, maximum value
and entered value?
Thanks

 

[Jon Peltier]

Is it a bar or a column chart?

- Jon

 

[Frank C]

It is a Column Chart. BTW I have Office 2003.
thanks

 

[Frank C]

Column
Sorry about the bad post

Is it a bar or a column chart?

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

 

[Jon Peltier]

If your X data are in dates, make sure you have a date scale axis. Go to
Chart menu > Chart Options > Axes tab, and make sure the Time Scale option
is selected under Category Axis. Then you should be able to double click on
the X axis and set the axis parameters you want.

The best way to learn the other options is to toggle each on and off to see
how the chart appearance changes.

- Jon
-------
Jon Peltier, Microsoft Excel MVP
Peltier Technical Services, Inc.
774-275-0064
208-485-0691 fax
(e-mail address removed)
http://PeltierTech.com/
_______

 

[Frank C]

Thanks for the reply Jon,
I did as you instructed but I was not successful. My dates are
1/1, 1/2, 1/3, 1/4, 1/5, 1/6
I want
9/12, 9,13, 9/14, 9/15, 9/16, 9/17

Here are the valuse I used in format axis scale tab

Min checked 9/12, Max checked 9/17, Base unit checked default day(s),
Major unit checked 1, days - default, Minor unit not checked,
Value Y axis crosses at checked 9/12
remaining three boxes not checked
Clicked OK

 

[Jon Peltier]

Does your series use the desired dates (9/12, 9/13, 9/14, 9/15, 9/16, 9/17)
as its X values? Go to Chart menu > Source Data > Series tab, click on the
series, and see which range is found in the Category (X) Axis Labels box.

Are these truly numerical dates, and not somehow interpreted by Excel as
text only labels? Make the column twice as wide as the contents, format the
cells to have General horizontal alignment. Are they left aligned like text,
or right aligned like numbers?

- Jon

 

[Frank C]

Thank you Jon, that worked.
I hadn't noticed the Caterory (X) axis labels box.
I was trying to get the desired results with Format Axis - Scale tab.