show month and year of a dataseries on the x axis

Hi,

I have this code which displays the respective year on the x axis

%SPX
SPX=dataSet(:,2);

%VIX
VIX=dataSet(:,3);

plotyy(dates,SPX,dates,VIX);

%datevc divides the date in different columns, first colum is the year,
%second the month and thrid the day
d=datevec(dates);

%Takes just the year (first column)
d=d(:,1);

%takes every year just once
[a,idx]=unique(d(:,1),'first');

set(gca,'xtick',dates(idx),'xticklabel',a)

[ax,h1,h2]=plotyy(dates,SPX,dates,VIX);
set(ax(1),'ycolor','k')
set(ax(2),'ycolor','k')
set(ax,'xtick',dates(idx),'xticklabel',a)

this worked well for a plot I needed, but I would like to plot a shorter time series where I can see the month as well as the year on the x axis

I have found this: http://www.mathworks.ch/ch/help/matlab/ref/datetick.html

but there are only months on the x axis, what do I need to ammend in my code to be able to see both, month and year?

Answer 1

[Shashank Prasanna]

Try using the following submission on FEX:

http://www.mathworks.com/matlabcentral/fileexchange/27075

[Locks]

I there a way without FEX? Others should be able to run the code as well and if they need to download the FEX first that would make it more complicated

[Shashank Prasanna]

1) Give the FEX functions which is really 2 files along with your code, to others.

2) Create a subfunction in your code from the code in the dynamic datetick and distribute one file, instead of asking the end users to download it.

3) Go through the FEX submission and minimize the code specific to your application and include it your self.

[Locks]

ok, thanks

Answer 2

[the cyclist]

If you click on the dateFormat link in the Input Arguments section of that help page you mention, so you will see that there are many different ways to format the labels, including some that show both month and year.

[Locks]

thanks, what I just do see is how I can adapt the existing code using those elements. could you give me a hint?