How to: Change the scale of the value axis in an Excel chart.
Solution:
Select the chart, double-click on the value axis, click the 'Scale' tab, and type the desired values in the corresponding boxes.
1) Select the desired chart:
a) If the chart is embedded on the worksheet, double-click on the chart. (A striped border with handles appears around the chart.)
b) If the chart is on a separate chart sheet, click the tab for the chart sheet.
2) Double-click on the value axis (y-axis).
NOTE: For a 2-D chart, the value axis is the Y axis. For a 3-D chart, the value axis is the Z axis.
Z axis
3) Click the 'Scale' tab from the 'Format Axis' dialog box.
Format Axis dialog box
4) Do one of the following to specify the smallest data value on the value axis (y-axis):
a) Select the 'Auto Minimum' check box to have Excel display the lowest, rounded data value as the smallest data value.
b) Type the desired smallest data value in the 'Minimum' box.
NOTE: Typing a value in the 'Minimum' box clears the 'Auto Minimum' check box. Conversely, selecting the 'Auto Minimum' check box voids the value typed in the 'Minimum' box. This behavior also applies to the options in steps 5) through 8).
5) Do one of the following to specify the highest data value on the value axis:
a) Select the 'Auto Maximum' check box to have Excel display the highest, rounded value as the highest data value.
b) Type the desired highest data value in the 'Maximum' box.
6) Do one of the following to specify the interval for major tick marks and gridlines on the value axis:
a) Select the 'Auto Major Unit' check box to have Excel determine the interval.
b) Type the desired interval in the 'Major Unit' box.
7) Do one of the following to specify the interval for minor tick marks and gridlines on the value axis.
a) Select the 'Auto Minor Unit' check box to have Excel determine the interval.
b) Type the desired interval in the 'Minor Unit' box.
8) Do one of the following to specify the value at which the category axis is to cross the value axis:
a) Select the 'Auto Category (X) Axis Crosses at' check box to allow the category axis (or floor for a 3-D chart) to cross the value axis at zero (0) or at a number closest to zero (0).
b) Type the desired value where the category axis (or floor for 3-D chart) is to cross the value axis in the 'Category (X) Axis Crosses at' box.
9) Click 'OK'.
