If your Excel chart bar width too thin, and you are looking for a solution then this article will be helpful for you. Here, we will walk you through 2 easy and simple methods to solve the problem smoothly.
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2 Simple Solutions If Excel Chart Bar Width Looks Too Thin
The following table has the Date and Sales columns. We will use these columns to insert a Column Chart. Since the Date column has the date in it, the bar width of the chart will be too thin.
Let us first show you the chart bar width too thin.
Steps:
- First, we will select the entire data table.
- Further, we will go to the Insert tab.
- Next, from Insert Column or Bar Chart group >> we will select 2D Clustered Column chart.
Finally, you can see a Column chart bar width too thin.
Therefore, we want to solve the problem and make the chart bar width thick enough. To do so, we will follow 2 methods. Here, we used Excel 365. You can use any available Excel version.
1. Use of Format Axis Option
In this method, we will use the Format Axis option to solve the problem of Excel chart bar width too thin.
Solution:
- In the beginning, we will right-click on the X–axis of the chart.
- Here, as the Date is on the X-axis, we will right-click on X-axis.
- Afterward, we will select the Format Axis option from the Context Menu.
A Format Axis dialog box will appear on the left side of the Excel sheet.
- Next, from Axis Options >> select Text axis.
Therefore, you can see the chart bar width has become thick.
Hence, the problem of the Excel chart bar width too thin is solved.
Later, we will format the chart to make it more presentable.
- After that, we will click on the chart.
- Moreover, we will go to the Chart Design tab.
- Then, from the Chart Styles group, we selected a Chart Style according to our preference.
As a result, you can see the chart with thick chart bar width.
Read More: Excel Bar Chart Side by Side with Secondary Axis
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2. Using Format Data Series Option
The following table has Month and Sales columns. We will use this table to insert a Bar chart. As the table contains more data entries or more numbers of rows, the chart bar width will be too thin. In this method, we will use the Format Data Series option to solve the problem of Excel chart bar width too thin.
Steps:
- First of all, we will select the entire data table.
- After that, we will go to the Insert tab.
- Next, from Insert Column or Bar Chart group >> we will select a 2D Clustered Bar chart.
Here, you can see the chart bar width too thin.
Solution:
Next, we will solve the problem.
- Afterward, we will right-click on the bar of the chart.
- Moreover, we will select the Format Data Series option from the Context Menu.
After that, a Format Data Series dialog box will appear on the left side of the Excel sheet.
- Next, from Series Options, we will set the Gap Width to 30%.
Here, you must decrease and set the Gap Width according to your preference and adjust the bar width of the chart.
As a result, we can see the bar width has become thick.
Therefore, the problem of the Excel chart bar width too thin has been solved.
Next, we will format the chart to make it more presentable.
- After that, we will click on the chart.
- Afterward, we will go to the Chart Design tab.
- Then, from the Chart Styles group, we selected a Chart Style according to our preference.
Hence, you can see the chart with thick bar width.
Read More: How to Show Difference Between Two Series in Excel Bar Chart (2 Ways)
Conclusion
Here, we tried to show you 2 methods to solve the problem when the Excel chart bar width is too thin. Thank you for reading this article, we hope this was helpful. If you have any queries or suggestions, please let us know in the comment section below. Please visit our website Exceldemy to explore more.
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Hi Afia,
I really liked your article and was hoping it would solve my problem. I have tried both your options and unfortunately, I still have thin bar (columns). I have Excel 365 and have a combo chart with lines and clustered columns. When I select the “Text data” option in the X-axis format, all the column bars shift and condense to the left side of the graph. Would you happen to have any other insights? I’d be happy to share my file so that you can see my issue.
Thanks,
Nick
Dear NICK,
Thank you for your comment. Please follow the second method, Using Format Data Series Option. For a Combo Chart, this method will work.
I hope your problem will be solved now. If, however, you are still facing an issue, you can send us your Excel file to [email protected].
Best,
Afia Aziz Kona
Excel & VBA Content Developer
Exceldemy