How to Make the X Axis Start on the First Data Point in Excel
By C. Taylor
Microsoft Excel 2013 automatically determines a range for data on the X and Y axes. This range typically begins with zero, but Excel might use a different starting point if the data warrants it. This range often creates large, unsightly gaps on the X axis. It might also make small differences in large data points difficult to identify. By starting the X axis on the first data point, you remove the empty space and make differences easier to see.
Step 1
Move your mouse pointer over the furthest data point to the left of the chart. A pop-up appears that identifies the exact value of the point. Depending on your chart type, this value might include one or two numbers. If it has two numbers, read just the first one. If it's difficult to determine which data point is furthest to the left, read each of the left data points and remember the smallest.
Step 2
Right-click any number from the X axis, and click "Format Axis" from the pop-up menu.
Step 3
Change the "Minimum" value in the "Bounds" group to the first data point you previously identified.
Step 4
Press "Enter" or click anywhere in the data or chart area to apply the change.
References
Tips
- If there are numerous data points on the left side of the chart, it might be tedious to manually read each one. Instead, enter "=MIN(Range)" without quotes in an empty cell to automatically return the smallest value. Change "Range" to the cell range that includes only the X axis data. As an example, "=MIN(A1:A1000)" returns the smallest value in cells A1 through A1000.
Writer Bio
C. Taylor embarked on a professional writing career in 2009 and frequently writes about technology, science, business, finance, martial arts and the great outdoors. He writes for both online and offline publications, including the Journal of Asian Martial Arts, Samsung, Radio Shack, Motley Fool, Chron, Synonym and more. He received a Master of Science degree in wildlife biology from Clemson University and a Bachelor of Arts in biological sciences at College of Charleston. He also holds minors in statistics, physics and visual arts.