Solved How do I see the X axis values with Excel 2010

[gelsner]

Hi,

I know it's a basic question -- and I've been charting with Excel for a while; but now all of a sudden when I make a Line Chart with Excel 2010; the horizonital values shown are just sequential numbers of the real X values. How do I get Excel to show the actual X values on the horizonital axis?

Thanks, all help will be appreciated greatly,

/ GE

 

[Neutron16]

Once, I have tried to format axis to show actual values, but I did not succeed. So now I use Data labels. Actual value is shown just above or to the right of each point.

 

[gelsner]

I tried using the Data Labels; but they just display for each point the vertical values; what I need to display are the values along the bottom horizontal axis. Sort of frustrating...I know it usually works, but not this time...any help will be really appreciated.
/ GE

 

[Neutron16]

Arighty then.
Right click on your chart, select - Select Data.
In a new window in the sub section
Horizontal (Category) Axis Labels click Edit.
Then select your desired label range.

 

[gelsner]

Neutron16,

Ah ha, you may be onto a good thing here -- when I do the above steps; "edit" is not active. Is that a clue to my problem?

/ GE

 

[Golden]

when I make a Line Chart with Excel 2010; the horizonital values shown are just sequential numbers of the real X values. How do I get Excel to show the actual X values on the horizonital axis?

Its designed to do it that way - change the chart type to the XY chart, then turn the marker points off if you like.

Line charts
Data that is arranged in columns or rows on a worksheet can be plotted in a line chart. Line charts can display continuous data over time, set against a common scale, and are therefore ideal for showing trends in data at equal intervals. In a line chart, category data is distributed evenly along the horizontal axis, and all value data is distributed evenly along the vertical axis.

You should use a line chart if your category labels are text, and are representing evenly spaced values such as months, quarters, or fiscal years. This is especially true if there are multiple series — for one series, you should consider using a scatter chart. You should also use a line chart if you have several evenly spaced numeric labels, especially years. If you have more than ten numeric labels, use a scatter chart instead.

https://office.microsoft.com/en-au/excel-help/available-chart-types-HA010342187.aspx#BMlinecharts

Regards,
Golden

 

[gelsner]

Golden,

A huge thanks!! I've been selecting the wrong chart type for years -- so now you've solved both the short-term issue and the longer one too!!

Thanks again,

/ GE

 

[Golden]

My pleasure - glad its solved