Does my Y axis have to start at 0?

Does my Y axis have to start at 0?

However, “always start the y-axis at zero” is not a hard-and-fast rule. For example, Edward Tufte points out that in a time series, the baseline is not necessarily zero: In general, in a time-series, use a baseline that shows the data not the zero point. If the zero point reasonably occurs in plotting the data, fine.

How do you start Y axis at 0?

To adjust the scale of your vertical axis, follow these simple steps:

1. Right-click the vertical axis and choose Format Axis.
2. In the Format Axis dialog box, expand the Axis Options section and set the Minimum value to 0.
3. (Optional) Set the Major Unit value to twice the Maximum value in your data.

Does a graph have to start at 0?

Providing context to your reader is helpful as it’s answering the question, “compared to what?” But following an arbitrary rule that all graphs should start with 0 doesn’t make sense. In fact, it may introduce more confusion than it is purportedly solving. There isn’t an objective graph.

How do you get a graph to start at 0?

Make Y Axis Start at 0 in Charts in Excel

1. Select the Chart and go to the Layout tab (that is visible only when you select a chart).
2. Click the Axes button and go to Primary Vertical Axis and then More Primary Vertical Axis Options…
3. You will now be in the Format Axis window.
4. Hit Close and that’s it!

What does a broken axis mean?

Axis Break An axis break is a disruption in the continuity of values on either the y or x axis on a chart. It is also known as a scale break or graph break and is shown on the chart as a wavy line or diagonal line on the axis and on the bars plotted on that axis.

What is y-axis break?

Axis breaks can be used to shrink a particularly large segment and enhance readability for the smaller segments in your chart. On a 2Y chart, the breaks for the Y and 2Y axes are independent of each other. Break placement for Y axis will be based only on series data relating to the Y axis.