How do you rotate a bar chart 90 degrees in Excel?

To rotate a bar chart in Excel 90 degrees, effectively changing it from a vertical bar chart to a horizontal bar chart (or vice versa), you can't directly "rotate" it like an image. Instead, you change the chart type or use rotation options if available for 3D charts. Here's how:

Method 1: Changing the Chart Type (Simplest)

This is the most straightforward and common method:

1. Select Your Chart: Click on the bar chart you want to "rotate."
2. Change Chart Type:
   • Go to the Chart Design tab (or Chart Tools > Design tab, depending on your Excel version) on the ribbon.
   • Click Change Chart Type.
3. Choose the New Bar Chart Type:
   • In the "Change Chart Type" dialog box, select "Bar" from the list on the left.
   • Choose the desired bar chart subtype:
     • Clustered Bar: The equivalent of a clustered column chart, but horizontal.
     • Stacked Bar: The equivalent of a stacked column chart, but horizontal.
     • 100% Stacked Bar: The equivalent of a 100% stacked column chart, but horizontal.
   • Click OK.

This effectively swaps the axes, turning a vertical bar chart into a horizontal one, or vice versa.

Method 2: Using 3-D Rotation (If Applicable)

This method is only relevant if you have a 3-D bar chart, which are rarely used due to potential misinterpretation of the data.

1. Select Your Chart: Click on the 3-D bar chart.
2. Format Chart Area: Right-click on the chart area and select "Format Chart Area..."
3. 3-D Rotation Options: In the Format Chart Area pane that appears:
   • Click the Effects icon (it looks like a pentagon).
   • Click 3-D Rotation.
4. Adjust Rotation: In the X Rotation and Y Rotation boxes, enter the degree of rotation you desire. According to Excel's Help, this is the area where rotation can be adjusted. To effectively rotate the chart to resemble a simple bar chart, you might try rotations around the X or Y axes to find a suitable view. Note: This method does not actually change the chart type but alters the perspective from which it is viewed. This will not generate a typical horizontal bar chart.

Example

Let's say you have a vertical bar chart (column chart) showing sales figures for different regions. To display this data horizontally:

1. Select the chart.
2. Go to Chart Design > Change Chart Type.
3. Select Bar > Clustered Bar.

Your chart will now display the sales figures with horizontal bars, making it easier to compare the values across regions if the region names are long.

Important Considerations

• Axis Labels: After changing the chart type, ensure your axis labels are clear and readable. Adjust font sizes and orientations if necessary.
• Data Interpretation: Be mindful that the chart's orientation can influence how viewers interpret the data. Choose the orientation that best highlights the key insights you want to convey.