This wikiHow teaches you how to label the vertical and horizontal axes of a chart in Microsoft Excel. You can do this on either Windows or Mac.
Step
Step 1. Open the Excel document
Double-click the Excel document that has the chart.
If you haven't created a document, open Excel and click Blank workbook, then create a graph before continuing.
Step 2. Select the chart
Click the graphic to select it.
Step 3. Click the + sign
It's on the top right of the graph. This will open a drop-down menu.
Step 4. Click the Axis Titles checkbox
It is located near the top menu option. This step will check the box Axis Titles and place the text box next to the vertical axis and below the horizontal axis.
If box Axis Titles is checked, click to uncheck it and then click the check again to force the text box to appear.
Step 5. Select the "Axis Title" box
Click any "Axis Title" box to place the mouse cursor in it.
Step 6. Enter a label in the box
Select the "Axis Title" text, type a new label for the axis, then click the graphic. This step will save the label.
You can repeat this step on the other axes
Tips
- The steps for labeling axes in this article also apply to charts that you create in Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, and Outlook.
- Change the labels on the axes at any time by clicking directly on the labels. A cursor will appear and you can change the text immediately.
