Formatting the chart axes

For all chart types except pie charts, you can
add axis labels
display a grid behind the plotted data (for either or both axes)
display and modify the tick marks along the axes

To format the X and Y axes:
1 Select the chart, then choose Chart Options from the Edit menu and click Axes.
Tip: You can also double-click either of the axes in the chart.
2 Click "X axis" or "Y axis."
You format each axis independently.
3 Select the options you want.
Tick Marks: Choose a placement option from the pop-up menu (choose None to turn off tick marks).
Minor: The number of tick marks between major tick marks
Minimum and Maximum: The lowest and highest values that will be plotted on the axis (useful for focusing on a specific range of data values)
Step Size: The distance between major tick marks
Log: For displaying axis values in a logarithmic scale (select the checkbox and type a log base in the text box)

Specifying more options for axes labels, grid lines, and tick marks

Typically, the X axis label identifies the series divisions and the Y label identifies the unit of measure or the scale, but you can switch this.

To specify text attributes for either axis label or, on the Y axis, the numbers next to tick marks:
Select the X or Y axis in the chart and use text formatting commands in the Format menu.
To format the division labels (the text next to tick marks on the X axis), format it in the spreadsheet.

To change the color and width of axis lines and the color of grid lines:
Select the X or Y axis in the chart and specify a pen color, pattern, and line weight in the Tools window.
Note: You can't apply wallpaper or gradients to chart lines.
Tick marks Grid lines
Y axis label X axis label

If you don't see tick marks:
They might be covered up by wide axis lines. Reduce the weight of axis lines with the line weight pop-up menu in the Tools window.

Related topics

  Changing the appearance of text
Adding and formatting chart data labels

 
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