How to Reverse the X and the Y Axis in Excel – 4 Methods

The dataset showcases the yearly orders of an online shop. In the chart, Excel keeps the first column horizontally and the second column vertically by default.

Method 1 – Using the Select Data Option to Reverse the X and the Y Axis in Excel

Steps:

• Right-click the chart.
• Choose Select Data.

• Click Edit in Legend Entries.

• Click the icon marked in the image.

• Select the header of the first column and press ENTER.

• Click the icon marked in the image.

• Select the range of years and press ENTER.

• Click OK.

To change the horizontal axis:

• Click Edit in Horizontal (Category) Axis Labels.

• Select the data range in the second column and press ENTER.

• Click OK.

Method 2 – Using the Excel Format Axis Option to Reverse the X and the Y Axis

Steps:

• Double-click the axis you want to reverse.
• In Format Axis, click the X axis.
• Click Axis Options and check Categories in reverse order.

This is the output.

• To reverse the Y axis, double-click  it and check Values in reverse order.

This is the output.

Method 3 – Applying the Switch Row/Column Command to Swap the X and the Y Axis

Steps:

• Select the chart by clicking it.
• Go to: Chart Design > Switch Row/ Column.

Both columns are displayed on one axis.

Method 4 – Changing the Chart Type to Reverse the X and the Y Axis

Steps:

• Click the chart.
• Select Change Chart Type in Chart Design.

• In All Charts, click Bar.
• Choose a chart option. Here, the first one.

This is the output.

Read More: How to Reverse Axis Order in Excel

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