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How do I change a bar graph from horizontal to vertical in Excel?

Published in Excel Charting 2 mins read

To change a bar graph from horizontal to vertical in Excel, you need to change the chart type. Excel refers to vertical bar graphs as "column charts." Here's how to do it:

  1. Select the chart: Click on the bar graph you want to change. This will activate the "Chart Design" tab in the Excel ribbon.

  2. Change Chart Type: In the "Chart Design" tab, locate the "Type" group and click on "Change Chart Type."

  3. Choose a Column Chart: A dialog box will appear. On the left side, select "Column."

  4. Select a Specific Column Chart Type: Choose the specific type of column chart you want (e.g., Clustered Column, Stacked Column, 100% Stacked Column).

  5. Click OK: Your horizontal bar graph will now be a vertical column chart.

Additional Formatting

While the above steps will change the orientation of the chart, you might also want to adjust the text orientation within the chart for better readability. Here's how to adjust text alignment, drawing from the provided reference:

  • Format Axis: On the Format tab, in the Current Selection group, click Format Selection. This will open the Format Axis dialog box.

  • Text Options: In the Format Axis dialog box, click Text Options.

  • Text Box: Under Text Box, you can adjust the Vertical alignment.

    • In the Vertical alignment box, click the vertical alignment position you want. This can help you orient labels and titles for improved clarity.

By following these steps, you can easily transform your horizontal bar graph into a vertical column chart and further refine its appearance for optimal presentation.

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