Ignoring Missing Date Values

When date/time information is missing from a dataset, the corresponding values plot as zeros on line and area graphs. It is possible to "smooth" the data by interpolating the missing values.

To ignore missing dates in a plot, navigate to the Marks menu, and select the Ignore missing dates option.

ignoring missing dates.

Note that some of the spikes are 'smoothed' in the second image.

Line chart for world population: sum(population) on Y axis, year on X axis, country generating different upward trending lines, legend on the right side
Compare Plotting Basic Data to Plotting Smoothed Lines