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Tim_Hanc's avatar
Tim_Hanc
Copper Contributor
Jul 13, 2022
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Chart dates on horizontal axis include dates not in the data source

Anyone know why when charting a dates column on the horizontal axis of a chart, it superimposes dates on the axis (weekends and holidays) that are not in the data source column? I need it not to do that. Thanks for any diagnostics and/or guidance.  --Tim

  • Tim_Hanc 

    If the chart is an XY Scatter Chart, change the chart type to Line Chart.

    Double-click the x-axis to activate the Format Axis task pane.

    Under Axis Options > Axis Type, select Text Axis.

  • Tim_Hanc 

    If the chart is an XY Scatter Chart, change the chart type to Line Chart.

    Double-click the x-axis to activate the Format Axis task pane.

    Under Axis Options > Axis Type, select Text Axis.

    • Tim_Hanc's avatar
      Tim_Hanc
      Copper Contributor
      This worked! The chart was already a line chart, but I had checked the "date axis" bubble, thinking that was what it was, a source column of the dates of the events. I don't understand why checking the "text axis" fixes it so that it only uses the actual dates in the source column, rather than overwriting it with every single day in the year, but that seems to work.

      SO, thank you so much!! This a great community and having experts like yourself here to nurse us all along is so invaluable! Thank you for being there! You are making a real difference.
      • Tim_Hanc 

        If the axis is set to be a text axis, Excel will plot just the values in the source data "as is".

        If you set it to be a date axis, Excel will use the values as a timeline, i.e. a linear progression of dates, so it will insert dates missing from the source data.

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