How to Move Excel Chart X Axis to Bottom (2 Simple Methods)

Are you trying to move the X-axis of your Excel chart to the bottom? There are so many cases where you need to place the X-axis or horizontal axis at the bottom of the chart. In this article, I will demonstrate how to move the X-axis to the bottom of an Excel chart. I will use the Microsoft Excel 365 version. So, let’s get started.

overview to excel chart move x axis to bottom


How to Move Excel Chart X Axis to Bottom: 2 Simple Methods

Here, I have a dataset that represents the monthly sales of a company. There are negative values as well in the Sales column. You can see in the bar chart that the horizontal axis, or X-Axis is located in the middle of the chart. This format is not suitable for reading the data. So, if you move the X-axis to the bottom, the chart will be more reader-friendly. I will explain two methods for how to move the Excel chart’s X-axis to the bottom.

dataset of excel chart to move x axis to bottom


Method 1:  Replace X Axis of Excel Chart to the Bottom by Moving Label Position

Follow these simple steps to replace the X-Axis from the bottom:

  • First, click the horizontal or X-axis of the chart.

Selecting horizontal axis in Excel charts

  • Next, right-click on the X-axis.
  • Select the Format Axis option which is marked on the image.

Format Axis option of a column chart in excel

  • Format Axis pane will appear.
  • Now, from the Axis Options, select Labels.

Format Axis Pane

  • Then, click on Labels.
  • Label Position option is by default set as Next to Axis.
  • Change this to Low.

Changing Label position in Format Axis pane

  • As a result, X-Axis is now moved to the bottom.

Final output of moving the x-axis to the bottom of Excel chart


Method 2: Move Excel Chart X Axis to the Bottom by Changing the value of the Horizontal Axis

This is another method of moving the X-axis to the bottom. Go through the steps below:

  • To begin, select the vertical axis or Y-axis of the column chart.

Selecting Y axis of column chart

  • Afterward, right-click on the vertical axis.
  • Select Format Axis from the options.

Format Axis in Excel column chart

  • Format Axis pane will appear.
  • Click on Axis Value under Horizontal axis crosses.
  • Axis Value is set as 0 here. You have to change this.

Axis value option in Format Axis pane

  • Change the Axis value to the lowest value of your dataset. In my dataset, the Sales value of -600 is the lowest so I am changing Axis Value to -600.

Changing Axis Value in Format Axis pane

  • Therefore, the Excel chart X axis has moved to the bottom.

final output of moving the x axis to the bottom of the chart by changing the axis value


How to Move Y-Axis in the Middle of the Graph in Excel

Sometimes, you need to place the vertical axis, or Y-axis in the middle of the chart. Now, I will demonstrate how to move the Y-axis in the middle of the graph. The following are the steps:

  • Initially, select the horizontal axis of the chart.

Horizontal axis of Excel column or bar chart

  • Then, right-click on the horizontal axis and select the Format Axis

Format Axis in Excel column or bar chart

  • In the Axis option, under vertical axis crosses, Automatic is selected by default.
  • Click on At category number.

At category number option in Format Axis pane

  • There are 12 months in the X-axis, and I want to bring the vertical axis in the middle. So I have changed the At category number to 7, the approximate middle value. Depending on the range of your X-axis, change this number so that the Y-axis will remain in the middle.

Changing At category number in Format Axis pane

  • Thus, the Y axis has moved to the middle of the chart.

Final output of moving the Y axis in the middle in Excel charts


Conclusion

I have explained 2 easy methods of moving the X-axis to the bottom in Excel charts. I hope that by following the article, you will be able to move the X-axis to the bottom of the Excel chart. If you face any difficulty regarding this topic, please leave a comment so that I can help.


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Mahfuza Anika Era
Mahfuza Anika Era

Mahfuza Anika Era graduated from the Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology in Civil Engineering. She has been with ExcelDemy for almost a year, where he has written nearly 30 articles and reviewed many. She has also worked on the ExcelDemy Forum and solved 50+ user problems. Currently, she is working as a team leader for ExcelDemy. Her role is to guide his team to write reader-friendly content. Her interests are Advanced Excel, Data Analysis, Charts & Dashboards,... Read Full Bio

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