Create a stacked area chart with non-uniform x-axis values

[Graham W]

I have a dataset with datetimes as column headers, and the datetimes are non-uniform, i.e. they are not every x hours, e.g. I have a columns with 22/11/2017 13:12, 22/11/2017 19:03, 24/11/2017 10:46. That is, the intervals between the datetimes could be a few hours or several days. In each column I have several rows of numeric data.

I would like to create a stacked area chart with a datetime axis. However, Excel either treats the columns as uniformly spaced (when text format is selected for the x-axis), or only shows one data point per day (when date format is selected for the x-axis). I have managed to create a line chart of this data, by using the scatter chart and joining the points with a line. But I cannot find any equivalent way to make a stacked area chart.

Anyone know how to do this?

[Richard Buttrey]

Hi,

Please help us out by uploading the workbook. This avoids us having to guess what your workbook looks like.

[Graham W]

How do I do that? The attachment button doesn't do anything.

[Graham W]

Do I need to have a minimum number of posts before I can upload?

[Richard Buttrey]

No,
Unfortunately the paperclip icon isn't working - and hasn't been for yonks (no don't ask me!).

Yuo can uopload by looking for the 'Manage Attachments option immediately underneath the post pane. You need to first click the 'Go Advanced' button at the bottom right of the post pane.

[Graham W]

OK, I have uploaded it. How do I attach it to this thread?

[Graham W]

Oh, there it is

[MrShorty]

Excel's date axis does not see the time part of the data. I see two possible approaches:

1) Scale the date/time data so that it will show up properly on the date axis, then use a "dummy series" to fake the axis showing the original data. Your example data shows times to the nearest minute. If minute is the smallest increment you need to see, then scaling by a factor of 24*60 should be sufficient.
2) Use an XY + stacked area combination chart. The XY part of the chart will show the existing date time data (without some of the nice calendar options available with a normal date axis) and the stacked area (with arbitrary number of points) will be used for the stacked areas.

This tutorial should help: https://peltiertech.com/fill-under-b...n-excel-chart/ Pay particular attention to how he creates the "arbitrary" X axis data for the area/stacked area series in the spreadsheet. Once you understand how he is using arbitrary "dates" to build the x axis data for the stacked area series, you will be in a better position to scale your date/time data so it will fit into correctly spaced date to get the desired effect.

[Graham W]

Thank you, I will try the approach in that tutorial and let you know how it goes.