By default, OOo Calc will create a chart with the y-axis starting at 0 (zero). For most purposes, this is adequate, but it is quite straightforward to shift the axis up (or down) where desired.

For the Flash version of this tip, click here.

Consider the data set below, which we wish to chart. This has been covered before elsewhere.

The default chart. In this example, we will adjust the y-axis to start at 20.

We first select the chart for editing by double-left-clicking anywhere inside the chart area. A solid border should appear around the chart as shown below.

Now enter the y-axis editor with the right mouse button as shown below.

Make sure the scale tab is selected. Before we modify the axis scaling, we first deselect the automatic settings. The fields indicated by the red arrows need to be changed.