Formatting the Chart Axes

Bar, column, line, area, and stock charts all have two axes (x and y); 3-D versions of these chart types include a third axis (z). In addition to being able to change the fonts and alignment used for the axis labels, you can specify the line type and color of the axes, add tick marks, change the scale (value increments ), and specify a number format.

To change the appearance of any axis of a chart, follow these steps:

  1. Take one of the following steps to display the Format Axis dialog box for the desired axis, as shown in Figure 8.7.

    Figure 8.7. The Format Axis dialog box enables you to change the look of the axis and its text.

    graphics/08fig07.gif

    Right-click on the axis you want to format, and choose Format Axis .

    In the Chart toolbar, open the Chart Objects list and click Value Axis or Category Axis , depending on which axis you want to format. Click the Format Axis button.

  2. On the Patterns tab, select the desired line style, color, and weight for the axis, and enter any tick mark preferences.

  3. Click the Scale tab, and enter your preferences to specify how you want values or labels to appear along the axis. For example, if values run along the axis, you can specify the minimum value, the maximum value, and the way you want values broken down between the minimum and maximum.

  4. If values appear along the axis, click the Number tab, and enter your preferences for the number formatCurrency, Percentage, and so on.

  5. Enter any additional preferences, and then click OK or press Enter .

Note

graphics/nman.gif

Tick marks are the tiny hash marks that show the divisions running along an axis. You can turn off tick marks, make them appear inside or outside an axis, or have them extend across the chart. You can also specify the way axis labels line up with the tick markshigh, low, or adjacent toor turn off the labels altogether.




Absolute Beginner's Guide to Microsoft Office Excel 2003
Absolute Beginners Guide to Microsoft Office Excel 2003
ISBN: 0789729415
EAN: 2147483647
Year: 2002
Pages: 189

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