time-series graph: Problems with date range and readability of own graph

[Michael Duarte Goncalves]

Hi everyone,

I have to do a graphic time series for one of our studies. It's the first time I've worked with time series, so I'm totally inexperienced with this type of data and graphics.

I need your help. I'd like to make a graph that's easy to read and pleasing, not like the one below.
Could you please give me some insights and help me please?


The scale on the x-axis is far too large and too detailed. My data runs from 1 July 2021 to 31 July 2023, but the scale extends to January 2024.
I've also noticed that the hours/minutes/seconds are not correct. I should have rounded times, like 00:00:00, 01:00:00 and so on.

Here is a dataex:

* Example generated by -dataex-. For more info, type help dataex
clear
input double(Date MaxPriceMWh CompetitivePriceMWh RealPrice)
1.9407168e+12 110.079 109.819 91.99
1.9407204e+12 110.079 109.819 91.26
 1.940724e+12 110.079 109.819 91.65
1.9407276e+12 110.079 109.819 91.99
1.9407312e+12 110.079 109.819 91.99
end
format %tc Date

Here is my code:

twoway (line MaxPriceMWh Date, lc(blue%90)) ///
       (line CompetitivePriceMWh Date, lc(red%60)) ///
       (line RealPrice Date, lc(black%30)) , ///
       legend(label(1 "Strategic Prices") label(2 "Competitive Prices") label(3 "Real Prices")) ///
       title("Electricity Prices") ///
       subtitle("From July 2021 to July 2023") ///
       xtitle("Date") ytitle("MW/h", orient(horizontal)) ///
       plotregion(margin(none))

Thanks.
Best,

Michael