Chart doesn't recognize date format

[dbasmb]

I've had this problem many times and cannot figure out why it happens some
times.

I insert a chart with my data highlighted including one column that has a
date format. It charts the data OK but if I go to format the x - axis,
sometimes it will give me axis options having to do with dates (eg major unit
fixed at one month) as I want but other times it gives me a completely
different window of axis options that does not include the date functions.
The window shows 'Interval between ticks:' and 'Interval between labels:'
etc. but nothing indicating that it is a date function, even if I check the
Axis Type to be date. Many times it won't even display my date format choice
that I make on the 'Number' option window. This makes the formating of the
date on the x-axis not clean since I cannot choose the intervals to be date
friendly.

What's going on??

Thanks in advance!

Doug

 

[trip_to_tokyo]

Which version of EXCEL?

Has you underlying data got a Date format?

 

[Jon Peltier]

If even a single cell in the range of X values is text instead of a
date, Excel will not treat the axis as a set of dates.

- Jon

 

[dbasmb]

The version is Excel 2007.

Yes the data has underlying date format.

Thanks

Doug

 

[johansen]

I have the same probelm. The x-axis range is dates (i.e. now() +1, +2 +3, etc.); x-axis = time-scale, x-axis min/max set to auto; base unit = days; major/minor = months; value (Y) axis crosses between lines is unchecked. If the date range starts at Nov 15, it sets the first tick (NOV) at the 15th, and then each subsequent month is marked at/near mid month. Thats a problem because today is Nov 06 which shows up on the chart looking like its in October. I need the tick mark at the first of each month and I can't find any option that will allow me to accomplish that. I can crudely force the date range to at the 1st of the month, but I'm not sure subsequent tick marks will always land on the 1st for subsequent months.