CHART X Axis - Changing between DATE and TEXT type casues strange output?

**Cam** · 11-22-2016, 07:57 AM

Hi,

Hopefully this question has a simple answer or work-around?

I have some time based data plotted on a line graph as per the image below, when I use the DATE axis type I get a strange stepped line output.... changing to a TEXT axis type solves this issue and the graph looks as expected but then I lose the advantages of the DATE axis functions.

Any idea why this is happening and how it can be fixed whilst still using the DATE axis?

Many thanks

**xlnitwit** · 11-22-2016, 08:22 AM

Hi,

Do you have multiple data points on the same days?

**Cam** · 11-22-2016, 08:25 AM

Hi, Yip - the data is every 5 minutes so 288 data points each day.

**xlnitwit** · 11-22-2016, 08:28 AM

That would explain the chart. The smallest unit on a date axis is one day so the chart is plotting 288 points in the same X location. Perhaps use an XY Scatter chart instead- you can format that to display lines.

**Cam** · 11-22-2016, 09:02 AM

Thanks - I've just tried an XY scatter but the X axis doesn't have a DATE axis option and the same issue arises with the plot?.....

**xlnitwit** · 11-22-2016, 09:13 AM

How much data do you have? I imagine it's a scaling issue.

You don't need a date option with the X axis as it is a numeric axis already. Perhaps you can post a small sample of your data?

**Cam** · 11-22-2016, 10:19 AM

Hi,

I've attached an example file - in the end I did get the Scatter XY to work by combining the date and time into a timestamp value for the X axis - whilst the axis adjustments are a bit clunky with the scatter plot it does at least work - perhaps there are more refinements to be found yet :-)

Thanks for your help.

PS - I've removed a day's worth of data to make a hole, the DATE axis copes with this fine, as does the XY Scatter - spacing the data out correctly.