Part III: Creating Charts and Graphics
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Cross-Reference
For more information about using chart templates, see “Creating Chart Templates,” later in this chapter. n
Working with Gridlines
Gridlines can help the viewer determine what the chart series represents numerically. Gridlines
simply extend the tick marks on an axis. Some charts look better with gridlines; others appear
more cluttered. Sometimes, horizontal gridlines alone are enough although XY charts often benefit
from both horizontal and vertical gridlines.To add or remove gridlines, choose Chart Tools ➪ Layout ➪ Axes ➪ Gridlines. This drop-down
control contains options for all possible gridlines in the active chart.Note
Each axis has two sets of gridlines: major and minor. Major units display a label. Minor units are located
between the labels. n
To modify the color or thickness of a set of gridlines, click one of the gridlines and use the com-
mands from the Chart Tools ➪ Format ➪ Shape Styles group.If gridlines seem too overpowering, consider changing them to a lighter color or use one of the
dashed options.Modifying the Axes
Charts vary in the number of axes that they use. Pie and doughnut charts have no axes. All 2-D
charts have two axes (three, if you use a secondary-value axis; four, if you use a secondary-category
axis in an XY chart). True 3-D charts have three axes.Excel gives you a great deal of control over these axes, via the Format Axis dialog box. The content
of this dialog box varies depending on the type of axis selected.Value axis
To change a value axis, right-click it and choose Format Axis. Figure 19.8 shows the Axis Options
tab of the Format Axis dialog box. The other tabs in the dialog box deal with cosmetic formatting.On the Axis Options tab, the four sets of option buttons at the top determine the scale of the axis
(its minimum, maximum, and intervals). By default, Excel determines these values based on the
numerical range of the data, and the settings are set to Auto. You can override Excel’s choice and
set any or all of them to Fixed and then enter your own values.