Excel > Excel 2007 Intermediate > Charts

Formatting a Charts Axis

Most charts have two axes. A vertical axis displaying values and a horizontal axis displaying categories. 3-D charts have a third axis showing depth. Different charts display axis in different ways and some such as a pie chart do not have an axis at all.

Adjust how an axis is displayed

1. Select the chart
2. Click the Layout tab under Chart Tools on the Ribbon
3. Click Axis and a menu appears allowing you to select either the vertical or horizontal axis
4. Point to the axis you wish to change the display of and another menu appears showing different display options
5. Select the display option you want to use. For example, to hide the axis, click None

Changing the scale of an axis

In some circumstances changing the scale of the value axis can be beneficial. It may be that the chart has many high values so you may wish the axis to start at another point than 0, or maybe you wish to reduce the value intervals to show more detail.

1. Select the axis you wish to change
2. Click the Format tab under Chart Tools on the Ribbon
3. Click Format Selection in the Current Selection group



4. The Format Axis dialogue box appears
5. Click on Axis Options



Minimum	Lowest value displayed on the chart
Maximum	Highest value displayed on the chart
Major Unit	Axis unit of measure
Minor Unit	Axis unit of measure (not displayed on a chart by default)

6. Set the values you want
7. Click Ok

Change the numbering format of an axis

1. Select the axis you wish to change
2. Click the Format tab under Chart Tools on the Ribbon
3. Click Format Selection in the Current Selection group
4. Point to the axis you wish to change the display of and another menu appears showing different display options
5. The Format Axis dialogue box appears
6. Click on Number



7. Select the appropriate number format from the Category list
8. Select the options as necessary from the right
9. Click Ok

Working with chart labels Change a charts source data

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