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Plotting time on X axis in a chart

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    Plotting time on X axis in a chart

    Hello,

    I need to have time values (hh:mm:ss) displayed on the X axis in a certain order. The starting time has to be 10:27:30 and the end time 10:33:30 (6min duration) in a chart on the left (constant cycling). Regarding the chart on the right (increasing cycling), the starting time has to be 10:35:30 and the end time 10:49:30 (14 min duration).

    I need these time values to be spread minute by minute (10:27:30; 10:28:30 etc.). Could someone help me out with this? The image is attached below. Thank you.

    excel constant cycling.png

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    Re: Plotting time on X axis in a chart

    It is not clear to me exactly what you are having trouble with. Here's how I would have expected to do this:

    1) Select data and create an XY scatter chart.
    2) Select the horizontal X axis -> format axis -> enter appropriate values for the max, min, major, and minor units (as date/time serial numbers, which means figuring out what serial numbers correspond to your desired entries).
    2a) Because the format axis dialog does not support (unless something has changed in the newest versions) entering date/time in date/time format, I would probably use a couple of cells in the spreadsheet where I can enter the date/time values I need and have Excel show me the appropriate date/time serial number. If you are not familiar with how Excel stores date/time values: http://www.cpearson.com/Excel/datetime.htm
    3) Any other formatting I want to do to the chart.

    Which part are you having difficulty with, or are you needing to do differently?
    Quote Originally Posted by shg
    Mathematics is the native language of the natural world. Just trying to become literate.

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    Re: Plotting time on X axis in a chart

    Thanks for your reply. I'm having trouble with entering appropriate values for the max, min, major and minor units. If my starting time has to be 10:27:30 for the chart on the left, how do I know what value to enter? Now it shows 10:27:07 but I don't understand what have to be the max, min, major and minor unit values to get 10:27:30, 10:28:30 etc. Right chart it starts with 10:33:36 and I need it to be 10:35:30 which is exactly the value that is entered in a cell but the chart starts with a different value.

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    Re: Plotting time on X axis in a chart

    Did you read Pearson's essay on how Excel stores dates and times? That is really key to understanding what to enter in those fields.

    As I noted, I will often use a couple of cells in the spreadsheet. (Using upper left references for convenience). Enter a time in A1 (10:27:30). In B1, enter =A1 and format as General or fixed (7 or so decimal places). Then I can enter a date/time in A1 and see the appropriate serial number in B1.

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