Horizontal axis laying on chart

[Joe]

I'm using Excel 2007. I have two columns, each with a header. One
column is dates and the other prices. I select both columns,
including headers. Then I select a line chart. It plots just fine
and the veritcal axis reads off the prices. The horizontal axis is in
the middle of the chart. I can't move it to the bottom. It is also
reading dates other than those I've specified. Dates are in the range
but the date data points it has chosen aren't the ones in my cells.
How can I correct both of these issues?

Thanks.

 

[David Biddulph]

If you are plotting one numerical parameter against another, I would suggest
using an XY chart instead of the confusingly named "line chart". Choose an
appropriate sub-type with or without data point markers on the line.

Right-click on the Y axis should allow you to Format Axis/ Scale if you want
to adjust where on the Y-axis the X-axis crosses.

[And you didn't need to post the question twice.]

 

[Joe]

I think it is happening because there are negative prices on the chart.

 

[Jon Peltier]

1. You get more dates on the axis than you have data points, because Excel
recognizes the dates and creates a Date-Scale axis. This means every date
between the first and last date has a slot on the axis, whether or not it
has a data entry.

To switch to a category-type axis, select the axis, and press Ctrl+1
(numeral one) to open the Format Axis dialog. On the dialog change the scale
type option to Category.

2. Do you have positive and negative price values? By default the horizontal
axis crosses where the vertical axis = 0. Select the vertical axis and press
Ctrl+1, and find the 'Crosses At' setting. Enter a value less than the
minimum of the axis (I usually enter something way less, so I don't have to
readjust it).

- Jon

 

[David Biddulph]

Yes, so use Format Axis/ Scale, as I suggested.