Once you've collected your data and are ready to create a graph, you might want to label the graph's axes for clarity. In this article, we'll guide you through the process of how to add vertical axis titles in Excel, which will make your graph look organized and easier to understand.
What is an Axis Title?
The Axis title provides a clear context for what each axis represents, making it much easier to understand the information displayed on the graph. For instance, if you're plotting the progress of a company's sales, you would label the x-axis with relevant factors and the y-axis with corresponding values.
Adding titles to these axes not only makes the graph visually organized but also ensures that viewers can quickly grasp the meaning behind the numbers being presented. This is particularly useful for presenting data in a way that everyone can easily understand.
How to Add Vertical Axis Title in Excel Chart
If you want to add a title to the vertical axis of your chart in Excel, you have three options to choose from: Chart Elements, Chart Design Tab (Add Chart Element), or Chart Design Tab (Quick Layout Option). Let’s learn how to add vertical axis titles to the Excel Chart using these methods.
Chart Elements
To demonstrate how to use the chart elements option to add a title to the vertical axis of an Excel chart, we have prepared a sample line chart. Here are the steps to follow:
Step 1: Select the chart by clicking on it.
Step 2: Click on the green plus sign (+) that appears on the right side of the chart. This brings up the Chart Elements menu.
Step 3: Check the box next to Axis Titles in the Chart Elements menu. This will enable you to add titles to both the horizontal and vertical axes of your chart.
Step 4: Click on the arrow next to Axis Titles in the Chart Elements menu. This will expand the options for adding titles to different axes.
Step 5: Select Primary Vertical from the options. This will add a text box on the left side of your chart where you can type your title for the vertical axis.
Step 6: Type your title in the text box and press “Enter”. You can also format your title by using the options in the Home tab on the ribbon.
Chart Elements is the fastest and easiest way to add a title. Using this method allows users to add vertical axes to their charts conveniently.
Chart Design Tab (Add Chart Element)
Let’s use the Chart Design tab to add a title to the vertical axis of the same sample chart we used before:
Step 1: To select the chart, click on it.
Step 2: Go to the Chart Design tab on the ribbon. This will show you various options for designing your chart.
Step 3: In the Chart Design tab, click the "Add Chart Element" button. This will open a drop-down menu with different elements that you can add to your chart.
Step 4: Hover over Axis Titles in the drop-down menu. This will show you the options for adding titles to different axes of your chart.
Step 5: Select Primary Vertical from the options. This will add a text box on the left side of your chart where you can type your title for the vertical axis.
Step 6: Type your title in the text box and press Enter.
This method is similar to the Chart Elements method, but it gives you more options for customizing your chart.
Chart Design Tab (Quick Layout Option)
Let’s use the Quick Layout option in the chart design tab to add a title to the vertical axis of the same sample chart we used before.
Step 1: Visit the Design Tab and click on the “Quick Layout” located at the top left corner. A drop-down menu with a list of layouts will open.
Step 3: Choose a layout that has a title for the vertical axis: Layout 1. You can see a preview of the layout on your chart before you click on it.
Chart Design Tab (Quick Layout Option) allows you to apply a predefined layout with a vertical axis title and is an effective way to add a right vertical axis in Excel.
Each method offers different levels of convenience and flexibility, so choose the one that suits your needs best.
How to Add Secondary Vertical (Right-Side) Axis Title in Excel Chart
Sometimes, you may want to add a secondary vertical axis to your Excel chart, especially if you have two data series that have different scales. A secondary vertical axis can show the values for the second data series on the right side of the chart, making it easier to compare the two. Here is how you can add a secondary vertical axis title to your Excel chart:
Step 1: Select the chart that you want to add a secondary vertical axis title to.
Step 2: Go to the Chart Design tab on the ribbon, where you'll find options for designing your chart, including "Change Chart Type". Click on it to open a dialog box with various chart types to choose from.
Step 3: In the dialog box, select Combo from the left pane. This will allow you to combine different types of charts into one.
Step 5: In the right pane, select the data series that you want to plot on the secondary vertical axis.
Step 6: Check the box next to Secondary Axis for the selected data series. This will create a secondary vertical axis on the right side of your chart.
Step 7: Click “OK” to close the dialog box and apply the changes to your chart.
A secondary axis in Excel charts can enhance comparison between different data series, make the chart more informative by displaying values on the same plot area, and enable the use of different charts like line and column charts to highlight differences or similarities.
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FAQs
Q1. How do I format a chart title?
Here are three methods to format a chart title in Excel:
Access the 'More Title Options' under DESIGN -> Add Chart Element -> Chart Title for advanced formatting.
Right-click the title box and select 'Format Chart Title' for quick access to formatting options.
Right-click the title box and use the Font option or Ribbon formatting buttons for text customization.
Q2. How do I hide the axis title?
To hide chart axes:
Step 1: Click within the chart to activate Chart Tools, which includes Design and Format tabs.
Step 2: Under the Design tab, click the arrow beside "Add chart elements" and hover over "Axes."
Step 3: Choose the axis type you wish to hide.
Elevate Your Excel Charts with Clear Vertical Axis Titles
In this article, you've gained insights into the uncomplicated process of identifying graph axes and adding clear titles for better understanding by learning how to add vertical axis titles in Excel. WPS has consistently proven itself as the ultimate choice for those seeking a user-friendly office suite. To experience the convenience of WPS Spreadsheet, simply download the WPS Office suite today.
