Why Does Date Format Change on Chart

Hello,

I'm using Excel 97 SR-2 on a Windows XP machine with the date format under
Regional Settings set to dd/mm/yyyy.

I have a simple line chart (on a chart sheet) drawing data (date on X-axis
and data on Y-axis) from three different worksheets, and am experiencing a
problem with the dates on it randomly changing format from dd/mm/yyyy to
m/d/yyyy. This is despite the fact that the dates in the worksheets are in
dd/mm/yyyy format, and I have formatted the chart X-axis in that format
also. Interestingly, if I click from the chart to one of the worksheets
then back to the chart, the dates "correct" themselves (ie, show in
dd/mm/yyyy format again).

If anyone can provide an explanation, and preferably a 'fix', I would love
to hear it.

TIA

Regards,

John

Are the sheets in the same or different workbooks? Just wondering, not really important.

This might help. Double click the axis, and on the Number tab, select the format you
want, then uncheck the Link to Source box.

- Jon
-------
Jon Peltier, Microsoft Excel MVP
Peltier Technical Services
Tutorials and Custom Solutions
http://PeltierTech.com/
_______

John Taylor wrote:

> Hello,
>
> I'm using Excel 97 SR-2 on a Windows XP machine with the date format under
> Regional Settings set to dd/mm/yyyy.
>
> I have a simple line chart (on a chart sheet) drawing data (date on X-axis
> and data on Y-axis) from three different worksheets, and am experiencing a
> problem with the dates on it randomly changing format from dd/mm/yyyy to
> m/d/yyyy. This is despite the fact that the dates in the worksheets are in
> dd/mm/yyyy format, and I have formatted the chart X-axis in that format
> also. Interestingly, if I click from the chart to one of the worksheets
> then back to the chart, the dates "correct" themselves (ie, show in
> dd/mm/yyyy format again).
>
> If anyone can provide an explanation, and preferably a 'fix', I would love
> to hear it.
>
> TIA
>
> Regards,
>
> John
>
>

Jon

Thanks for your suggestion, but it didn't solve the problem. BTW, the sheets
are all in the same workbook.

However, I have been doing some investigating and tracked the problem down
to 'interference' from one of the add-ins that I have running. Strange as
it may seem, if I disable the add-in the problem with the changing date
formats disappears, but as soon as I enable it again the problem returns.

Once again, thanks for taking the time to offer some help.

Regards,

John

"Jon Peltier" <jonREMOVExlmvp@peltierCAPStech.com> wrote in message
news:%23GrbX9NuFHA.1264@TK2MSFTNGP12.phx.gbl...
> Are the sheets in the same or different workbooks? Just wondering, not
> really important.
>
> This might help. Double click the axis, and on the Number tab, select the
> format you want, then uncheck the Link to Source box.
>
> - Jon
> -------
> Jon Peltier, Microsoft Excel MVP
> Peltier Technical Services
> Tutorials and Custom Solutions
> http://PeltierTech.com/
> _______
>
> John Taylor wrote:
>
>> Hello,
>>
>> I'm using Excel 97 SR-2 on a Windows XP machine with the date format
>> under
>> Regional Settings set to dd/mm/yyyy.
>>
>> I have a simple line chart (on a chart sheet) drawing data (date on
>> X-axis
>> and data on Y-axis) from three different worksheets, and am experiencing
>> a
>> problem with the dates on it randomly changing format from dd/mm/yyyy to
>> m/d/yyyy. This is despite the fact that the dates in the worksheets are
>> in
>> dd/mm/yyyy format, and I have formatted the chart X-axis in that format
>> also. Interestingly, if I click from the chart to one of the worksheets
>> then back to the chart, the dates "correct" themselves (ie, show in
>> dd/mm/yyyy format again).
>>
>> If anyone can provide an explanation, and preferably a 'fix', I would
>> love
>> to hear it.
>>
>> TIA
>>
>> Regards,
>>
>> John