Cannot get calc to use dates for x-axis

[gsimonetti]

Hi, all.

I have a chart set up as follows:

I would like to use the dates in the top row as my ‘x’ values, and label my x-axis accordingly. Calc seems to have other ideas, giving me a scale of:

12.30 01.01 01.03 01.05 01.07…

As you can see, the dates used bear no resemblence to the dates in the spreadsheet.

The dates currently on the ‘scale’ tab under ‘edit x-axis’ shows a range from 30/12/1899 to 26/02/1900. If I try to edit these numbers to insert the actual range, my data disappears - presumably because calc thinks they are 125 years into the future.

I have tried reformatting row 1 to text, and setting the ‘formatting’ option under ‘edit x axis’ to ‘text’. I have also tried ‘date’. ‘personalized’ and about everything else I can think of. I have googled till my fingers were sore.

I generally consider myself rather proficient with this software but then something like this hits and I want to pull out what little is left of my hair. Help? Plz? This gal will be eternally grateful…

-G

[Lupp]

The image you inserted doesn’t show anything of interest.
Please read Uploads: Images vs example files / HowTo and attach an erxample file (.ods) editing your question.

[LeroyG]

@gsimonetti

12.30

It seems that 12.30 is a bit less than 13. You must format this cells as dates with the format code “MM.DD” (and paste special as dates).

[EarnestAl]

@gsimonetti

I would like to use the dates in the top row as my ‘x’ values

It doesn’t look as though you have dates in the top row, or maybe you do but with 0 for the year as it hasn’t been specified, see Help in Tools > Options > LibreOffice Calc > Calculate, Calculate
Format the row as ISO dates, YYYY-MM-DD and then type in the dates so that K1 reads 2024-08-07, or whatever year is intended; the current format is not human readable either without making assumptions.

[Lupp]

@gsimonetti

This gal will be eternally grateful…

You post a question talkiing about a chart, but not even naming the type of that chart, not to speak of the needed realistic example. You only talk about the “x-axis” what may be meant as “labels”. You don’t even mention what set(s) of data should be used to form a series (or more than one). You only insert a useless image, but claim:

@gsimonetti

I have a chart set up as follows:

and

@gsimonetti

As you can see, the dates used bear no resemblence to the dates in the spreadsheet.

Nobody can see anything of the kind in the mentioned image.

Nonetheless there are three experiencfed users trying to help you.
Myself, being the first one of the mentioned helpers, I ask for indispensable additional/better information but don’t get any respone for now about 4 days.
Well, I may get along without your eternal gratefulness, but …

@gsimonetti

I generally consider myself rather proficient with …

Surely not with using a forum (or Q&A site).

[Villeroy]

qa111091.ods (37.0 KB)