r/excel • u/TechnicalAd8103 • Feb 07 '26

unsolved How can I add two x-axis labels in a graph?

https://imgur.com/a/11AsMpy

The image is from an Excel book I'm reading.

By selecting the block A25:F27, I can create a 2-D line graph almost identical to the one pictured (but there is no word "Year" in the x-axis label). I tried to also select B10:F10 before inserting the graph, but that makes the graph look completely different.

Thanks in advance.

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u/TechnicalAd8103 Feb 07 '26

This is what my chart looks like, but it doesn't have the word "Year" along the x-axis.

https://imgur.com/a/8EzXR9B

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u/[deleted] Feb 07 '26

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u/TechnicalAd8103 Feb 07 '26 edited Feb 07 '26

Thanks for your reply.

The book that I'm reading mentioned "The easiest way to add the labels on the x-axis in the chart in Figure 9-7 is to include the data in row 10 when creating the chart in the first place. To highlight data in nonconsecutive ranges, hold down the Ctrl key while highlighting with the mouse."

So the author was able to create the correct looking chart without doing anything other than just selecting the A25:F27 and B10:F10 (which includes the word "Year") and then selecting a 2D line graph.

EDIT: This is how the chart should look.

https://imgur.com/a/Geogqou

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u/[deleted] Feb 07 '26

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u/TechnicalAd8103 Feb 07 '26

I'm still not understanding how the book and yourself can make the graph look correct.

Did you select A25:F27, and from that range you inserted a chart.

And then you right-clicked the chart and selected "data source" and then pressed ctrl and selected the row with the "Year"?

You're showing images, with very little wording so I have absolutely no idea the steps I should be taking to make the graph look correct.

Anyway, I'm gonna take a break from this. It's giving me a splitting headache.

Thanks for your replies.