[Solved] Chart Axis Formatting

[Gene45]

I have a series of XY scatter charts, where the X-axis was set up as "Day No." which us the number of says since the chart started.

I want to change it so the axis is the "Date" as in "09-08". Not every date will be shown as there are too many.

I have a column in the table (Column B) that shows the date, but how do I get the chart to show those numbers.

Be patient with me. I'm certainly not an expert.

[Zizi64]

Please upload your small size (max. 128 KiB) example .ods file here.

[acknak]

Attaching a sample would be helpful but here is the basic idea: you need to change the data range that the chart uses as the x values.

Activate the chart (double-click on it)

The chart type should be XY

Menu: Format > Data Ranges > Data Series ...

Under "Data ranges", select "X-Values"

The spreadsheet range (sheet/cell range) will appear below. Click the button to the right of the range for x-values (it has no text label). Now you can use the mouse to drag and select a new range of cells with the date values. When you release the mouse button, the new range will appear in the pop-up window.

Click OK

[Gene45]

I got the axis to show the dates like I wanted. I had to show the reference for the right column and format them manually as it defaulted to 1908 instead of 2015.

I still have trouble formatting the axis, as when I am in edit mode, the actual scale is outside the area and i can't see how to bring it back.

I wanted to attach a file, but My file is 3000+ lines and any attempt to cut a piece of it out loses the charts........

[Gene45]

bptest.ods[/attachment]

OK I copied a portion of the file, and kept the chart, BUT in the process the dates on the x axis became something else, i.e dates from 1902 adn i can't edit the data series.......

[acknak]

Your chart is disconnected from the sheet data. This can happen when you cut/paste or drag/drop to move the chart.

You can "re-connect" the cell range by selecting the data cells, then dragging them onto the chart. Otherwise, you have to re-create the chart from scratch.

Also, the x and y axes have been configured to use specific ranges. For the x values, the axis range doesn't match the data, so the plots don't appear on the chart.

Here's a quick shot at fixing these problems:

[Gene45]

It does not help to show me that the chart can be fixed in a "read only" file. I assumed a knowledgeable person could fix it.

In the file I sent, clicking on the chart and on edit. makes the axes disappear,

How do I get them back so I can edit them?

And how exactly does one drag data to a chart?

[acknak]

It does not help to show me that the chart can be fixed in a "read only" file. ...

I did not set the file to be read only. You can edit any such file in OO by clicking on the "Edit File" button on the main toolbar. OO will prompt you to select a location where a new, editable copy of the file will be saved.

In the file I sent, clicking on the chart and on edit. makes the axes disappear, How do I get them back so I can edit them?

Double-click the chart to activate it, then click anywhere in the data area but NOT on any component of the chart (lines, legend, etc.)

You should see green handles appear just inside the perimeter of the chart. Click on the handle at the lower left corner and drag it toward the center of the chart and release the mouse button. This will reduce the area used for the chart and make room for the axes at the left and bottom.

And how exactly does one drag data to a chart?

Select cells C1:G30 -- click in C1 and drag down to G30.

Now click anywhere in the shaded area, hold the mouse there for 1 or 2 seconds then drag a bit. The mouse cursor should change to indicate that a drag operation has started.

Drag the selection onto the chart and release the mouse button.

You should get a pop-up window: de-select "first column as label" and OK

[Gene45]

OK, I think I go the "handle" issue there appears to be three sets of handles, I had ony seen two before.

Thanks for your patience!