Chart Axes

Axes are chart components that are used to organize data on a chart. Headers of table rows and columns form a coordinate grid that enables the user to determine each cell's address. The similar function is performed with by the category axis (X) and the value axis (Y) on the chart. Axes are shown on all charts except for pie and doughnut charts, secondary histograms and secondary pie charts.

A data series axis is a secondary category axis that is also named as chart height axis. The chart series axis is contained only in 3D histogram with groups.

To quickly set up chart axes parameters, use the Category Axis (X), Value Axis (Y) and Value Axis (Secondary) tabs on the side panel.

To quickly set up a level line, use the Level Lines tab of the side panel.

NOTE. Quick setup is not available for data series axis.

To set up advanced chart axis parameters, use the Axis Format dialog box.

Depending on the chart type the following actions are available:

Setting up axis scale.
Setting up general axis parameters.
Setting up font for the labels shown in the axis.
Setting up axis alignment.
Setting up number format.
Setting up level lines.

NOTE. Data series axis enables the user to set up only axis format, font of axis labels and number format.

Quick Setup

To set up chart axes parameters, use the Category Axis X, Value Axis Y and Value Axis (Secondary) tabs on the side panel.

NOTE. The Value Axis (Secondary) tab is shown if the Plot on Secondary Axis checkbox is selected on the Data Series tab for any of the chart series.

Make sure that the side panel is displayed.
Select the chart in the working area.
Select the Format radio button on the side panel and go to the required tab.

Tab appearance depends on the selected axis. For example, the Value Axis (Y) tab looks as follows:

Set minimum and maximum axis values by selecting one of the radio buttons:

Auto. Maximum or minimum value is calculated automatically based on the source data. The radio button is selected by default.
Fixed. Set maximum or minimum value using the value editor or the keyboard.

NOTE. The parameter is available for the value axis Y and for the secondary axis.

Set the number of axis intervals by selecting the required radio button:

Auto. Default value. The number of intervals is calculated automatically based on source data.
Fixed. The number of intervals is set using the value editor or the keyboard.

NOTE. The parameter is available for the value axis Y and for the secondary axis.

Specify format of axis values in the Number Format drop-down list.

NOTE. The parameter is available for the value axis Y and for the secondary axis.

On selecting the format of values Number, Currency, Percentage or Exponential, it is becomes available to set accuracy. Use the value editor or keyboard to define the number of displayed decimal places.

NOTE. The parameter is available for the value axis Y and for the secondary axis.

If it is required to display large values, they can be scaled. Therefore, they will occupy less space on the axis. Values are scaled according to the formula: X = A * B, where A is initial value, B is scale coefficient.
Select the scale coefficient in the Scale drop-down list:

None. B = 1.
Hundreds. B = 0.01.
Thousands. B = 0.001.
Millions. B = 0.000001.
Billions. B = 0.000000001.
Trillions. B = 0.000000000001.

For example, the axis displays the values: 45000, 46000, and so on. After the Thousands scale is applied, the axis displays the following values: 45, 46, and so on.

In the Crosses Y Axis drop-down menu select the required position of the category axis X:

Auto. Crosses the Y axis at the minimum value. Default.
At the Specified Point. Crosses the Y axis at the specified point. Specify the point value using the value editor.
Maximum Value. Crosses the Y axis at the maximum value. Value labels are outside the plot area.

NOTE. The Crosses Y Axis parameter is available only on the Category Axis (X) side panel tab.

Select the required position of the value axis Y in the Crosses X Axis drop-down list:

Auto. Crosses the X axis at the minimum value. Default.
At the Specified Point. Crosses the X axis at the specified point. Specify the point value using the value editor.
Maximum Value. Crosses the X axis at the maximum value. Value labels are outside the plot area.

NOTE. The Crosses X Axis parameter is available only in the Value Axis (Y) or the Value Axis (Secondary) tabs of the side panel.

To show the tick mark labels, select the Labels checkbox. After this the labels font setup is available:

Define the following parameters in the group:

Font type. In the drop-down list select one of the fonts available in the operating system.
Size. Select desired font size in drop-down menu or enter it using the keyboard.
Font style. Click the buttons that determine font style:

B. Bold.
I. Italic.
U. Underline.

When the font style button is pressed, the corresponding font style is used.

Font color. Select the required font color in the drop-down palette. To set a new font color, click the Spectrum button in the standard color palette and select a color in the advanced color palette.

Rotation Angle. Specify label rotation angle using the keyboard or the value editor.
Auto Intervals between Labels. When the checkbox is selected, intervals between labels are calculated automatically.

NOTE. The parameter is available when setting up X axis label font.

To display axis caption, select the Caption checkbox:

After selecting the checkbox, enter the text to show in the axis caption area and define caption font options:

Font type. In the drop-down list select one of the fonts available in the operating system.
Size. In the drop-down list select the required font size or enter it using the keyboard.
Font style. Click the buttons that determine the font style:

B. Bold.
I. Italic.
U. Underline.

When the font style button is pressed, the corresponding font style is used.

Font color. Select the required font color in the drop-down palette. To set a new font color, click the Spectrum button in the standard color palette and select a color in the advanced color palette.

Select the Gridlines checkbox to show the gridlines.

A grid is a set of lines perpendicular to the axis. Major gridlines start from each major tick mark and cross the entire chart plot area, minor gridlines start from each minor tick mark.

Gridline parameters setup becomes available after the checkbox is selected:

Specify gridline color, type and line width in the corresponding boxes.

NOTE. The web application enables the user to set up main and secondary gridlines.

Check the Tick Mark Lines checkbox to show the tick mark lines.

Major tick marks are labeled perpendicular strokes at the axis line, while minor tick marks are strokes that bear no labels, positioned on the axis line between the major tick marks.

Tick mark line parameters setup becomes available after the checkbox is selected:

Specify line color, type and line width in the corresponding boxes.

NOTE. The web application enables the user to set up major and minor tick mark lines.

Select the Axis Line checkbox to show the axis lines.

Line parameters setup becomes available after the checkbox is selected:

Specify line color, type and line width in the corresponding boxes.