Trying to make line graph, but problems with overlapping text on x-axis

[bethj2009]

I am trying to create a line graph from 30 years' worth of data, with the years listed on the x-axis and the number of individuals on the y-axis.  When I do this in Excel, the program automatically adjusts the years on the x-axis (in this case, only writing out every other year) and orients the text vertically for easier reading.  I was trying to reproduce this graph in Illustrator for publication, but when I enter the data, every single year is written out along the x-axis and they are all overlapping each other, which makes them impossible to read.  How can I fix this?

[Sue Garibaldi]

Hi Beth.

Which application are you using (you've posted in the Draw, a mobile app, forum)?

Let me know and I'll move your post.

Sue.

[bethj2009]

I’m using the line graph tool in Illustrator.

Beth

[Sue Garibaldi]

Beth.

Thought so. Just wanted to make sure. I'll move your post to the Illustrator forum.

Sue.

[Monika Gause · Accepted solution]

You could select all the text on the x-axis using the direct selection tool (just drag a rectangle over the text) and then apply Effect > Distort & Transform > Transform. Rotate by whichever angle is appropriate. You could also move the text with the effect.

Then you might want to use a different font size.

But that's about all you can do automatically.

Your next options are expanding the graph and then editing it. It's no longer attached to the data then.