How to Reverse Axis Order in Excel – 4 Methods

Method 1 – Using the Format Axis Feature

The sample dataset contains Employees’ Names and their respective Salary.

A Column Chart was created.

The X–axis represents the Employee Name, and the Y-axis represents the Salary.

To reverse the X-axis by using the Format Axis Feature:

Steps:

• Select the horizontal axis (i.e. X-axis) and right-click it.
• Select Format Axis.

• In the Format Axis dialog box,  check Categories in reverse order.

The X-axis is in reverse order.

Method 2 – Applying the Select Data Option

The following dataset showcases the Employee Name, Salary, and Savings over a period of time.

A Scatter Plot was created.

To reverse the X-axis to the Y–axis:

Steps:

• Right-click the graph, and choose Select Data.

• In the Select Data Source dialog box, click Edit.

• In the Edit Series window  Series X Values represent the Profit value range and Series Y Values represent the Salary.
• Change the series: assign Salary to Series X Values and Profit to Series Y Values.

• Click OK.

• Click OK to close Select Data Source.

This is the output:  the X and Y axes are reversed.

• Change the Axis Titles and the Chart Title.

Method 3 – Sorting the Chart Data

This is the same dataset as in Method 1.

To reverse and arrange it in ascending order:

Steps:

• Select (C5:C10) >> go to the Home tab.

• Click Sort & Filter >> select Sort Smallest to Largest.

• In the Sort Warning dialog box, check ‘Expand the selection’ and click Sort.

• Both your chart data and the X-axis were reversed in ascending order.

Method 4 – Utilizing the Change Series Chart Type Feature

To reverse the X axis with the ‘Change Series Chart Type feature’:

Steps:

• Right-click any column in the chart.
• Select ‘Change Series Chart Type’.

• In the Change Chart Type window,  In All Charts, click Bar >> choose a Bar chart type (here Clustered Bar Chart type).
• Click OK.

Your chart will change from column to Bar. The X-axis in the column chart is reversed to the Y-axis and vice versa.

Read More: Reverse X and Y Axis in Excel

Download Practice Workbook

Download the Excel workbook here.

<< Go Back To Format Axis in Excel | Excel Chart Elements | Excel Charts | Learn Excel