How to Add Axis Labels in Excel?

It is exciting to create charts that display information in an eye-catching way. However, it can be frustrating when the labels on the axes are missing or look dull.

“How to Add Axis Labels in Excel?”

Honestly, nobody wants to spend their precious time trying to decipher a chart that resembles hieroglyphics.

This guide will show you how to effortlessly add axis labels to your chart. We’ll not only show you how to add axis labels in Excel. You’ll also learn how to create custom labels and format text and numbers.

Table of Contents:

1. What are Axis Labels in Excel?
2. Why Axis Labels in Excel are Important?
3. Excel Chart Types Requiring Accurate Axis Labels
4. Practical Example For Showing How to Add Axis Titles in Excel
5. How to Add Units and Symbols to Enhance Labels?
6. How to Add Axis Labels in Excel: Step-By-Step
7. Change Axis Labels in a Chart
8. Change the Text of the Axis Labels
9. Make Label text that’s Different From the Worksheet Labels
10. How to Change the Format of Text and Numbers in Labels?
11. Tips to Improve Axis Labels in Excel
12. Wrap Up

What are Axis Labels in Excel?

Definition: In Excel, Axis labels are textual indicators that identify key divisions on a chart, providing essential information about the data. The category labels tell you what groups or categories you’re looking at, while the value labels show you the actual numbers on the chart.  So, they’re like little helpers that make sure you know exactly what you’re seeing in your chart.

Together, these labels contribute to the clarity and understanding of the information presented in the chart. These labels act as navigational guides, ensuring that the audience can easily comprehend and interpret the insights presented in the charts.

Why Axis Labels in Excel are Important?

Adding axis labels might seem like a mundane task. But it can make a significant difference in the effectiveness and interest of your charts.

It is like giving your chart a voice – it allows your audience to understand what’s being presented. Furthermore, it makes your chart more informative and engaging.

Excel Chart Types Requiring Accurate Axis Labels

Excel offers various types of charts and graphs that can be used for data analysis, presentation, and reporting. Choosing the right chart can make all the difference in effectively communicating your data to your audience. Here are the best Excel charts for data analysis where you how to add axis labels in Excel to improve chart readability.

• Multi-Axis Line Chart

A Multi-Axis Line Chart is a versatile visualization that showcases numerous data sets simultaneously. The chart has a single x-axis that represents time or any other variable. Each data set has its y-axis, which is distinctly labeled. Furthermore, each line is plotted against its corresponding y-axis, providing a comprehensive representation of large data sets.

Example

Below is a product’s sales and profits data.

Months	Orders	Sales	Profits
Jan	756	18766	18
Feb	485	18788	29
Mar	412	18743	24
Apr	607	18788	22
May	915	16406	19
Jun	413	17765	22
Jul	828	20532	26
Aug	611	20016	19
Sep	683	20122	18
Oct	886	20125	25
Nov	397	23783	21
Dec	408	22942	21

Here is the Multi-Axis Line Chart visualization of this data.

• Pareto Chart

A Pareto Chart combines a bar graph and a line graph to display data hierarchically. It is named after Vilfredo Pareto, who invented the 80/20 rule. He noticed that 80% of the wealth in Italy was owned by 20% of the population.

This chart helps to identify the most significant factors in a data set. The bars represent the size of each category, while the line represents the cumulative percentage.

Example

Below are sales data for the current and previous year’s products.

Products	Current	Previous
Garments	916	727
Electronics	286	138
Cosmetics	44	13
Toys	73	41
Furniture	77	54

You can observe how the Pareto Chart maps this data to an insightful visualization by adding axis labels.

• Double Axis Line Graph and Bar Chart

The Double Axis Line Graph and Bar Chart combines a Line Graph and a Bar Chart. It boasts dual y-axes positioned on either side for enhanced clarity. The left y-axis is dedicated to the Bar Chart, while the right y-axis is for the Line Graph. This chart is ideal for displaying two sets of data with different measurement units.

Example

Let’s say you have the monthly revenue data below.

Months	Sales	Profit Margin %
Jan	16600	27
Feb	17964	14
Mar	16955	11
Apr	14726	16
May	13972	22
Jun	20216	21
Jul	24506	21
Aug	13216	13
Sep	19569	21
Oct	16064	17
Nov	18897	27
Dec	18205	11

Below is the Double Axis Line Graph and Bar Chart of your data.

Practical Example For Showing How to Add Axis Titles in Excel

What if?  You are tired of wrestling with complex data and struggling to create eye-catching charts in Excel?

How to Add Axis Titles in Excel?

I have a solution for you ChartExpo for Excel.

Say goodbye to mundane spreadsheets and embrace a whole new world of charting possibilities with the ChartExpo add-in for Excel Mac. ChartExpo revolutionizes your Excel experience by taking you into the realm of creativity and visualization.

With features like the Multi-Axis Chart in Excel, you can effortlessly create insightful charts that will leave your audience mesmerized.

Benefits of Using ChartExpo

• User-friendly interface: ChartExpo streamlines the chart creation process with its intuitive interface. This makes it effortless for users of all skill levels, novices, and experts to create insightful charts.
• A diverse array of chart types: ChartExpo offers an extensive range of chart types to cater to your specific data and insights. Whether you need column charts, pie charts, line charts, scatter plots, or more, ChartExpo has you covered.
• Customization: ChartExpo empowers you to modify every chart design element. Thus, you can ensure that your charts align perfectly with your unique style and preferences.
• Affordable: ChartExpo delivers exceptional value for money. It has a complimentary 7-day trial period and an affordable $10 monthly subscription.

How to Install ChartExpo in Excel?

1. Open your Excel application.
2. Open the worksheet and click the “Insert” menu.
3. You’ll see the “My Apps” option.
4. In the office Add-ins window, click “Store” and search for ChartExpo on my Apps Store.
5. Click the “Add” button to install ChartExpo in your Excel.

ChartExpo charts and graphs are available both in Google Sheets and Microsoft Excel. Please use the following CTA’s to install the tool of your choice and create beautiful visualizations in a few clicks in your favorite tool.

You can also add horizontal and vertical axes by following this guide: “How to Craft an Accurate X and Y Axis Chart in Excel?”

Let’s show you how to add axis labels in Excel charts with the help of an example.

Example

Let’s say you have sales and profit margin data below.

Months	Sales	Profit Margin %
Jan	16600	27
Feb	17964	14
Mar	16955	11
Apr	14726	16
May	13972	22
Jun	20216	21
Jul	24506	21
Aug	13216	13
Sep	19569	21
Oct	16064	17
Nov	18897	27
Dec	18205	11

This data has a secondary axis. Therefore, we use the Double Axis Line Graph and Bar Chart to analyze it efficiently.

How?

Follow these steps to create a Double Axis Line Graph and Bar Chart in Excel with ChartExpo.

• To get started with ChartExpo, install ChartExpo in Excel.
• Now Click on My Apps from the INSERT menu.

• Choose ChartExpo from My Apps, then click Insert.

• Once it loads, choose the “Double Axis Line Graph and Bar Chart” from the charts list.

• Click the “Create Chart From Selection” button after selecting the data from the sheet, as shown.

• ChartExpo will generate the visualization below for you.

• If you want to have the title of the chart, click on Edit Chart, as shown in the above image.
• To change the title of the chart, click on the pencil icon that is available very next to Chart Header.
• It will open the properties dialog. Under the Text section, you can add a heading in Line 1 and enable the Show option. Give the appropriate title of your chart and click on the Apply button.

• Click the highlighted pencil icon to change the color of the right Y-Axis on the chart.
• Expand the “Font Style” properties, then choose the desired color for the axis.

How to Add Units and Symbols to Enhance Labels?

• Let’s add a postfix (e.g., % Sign) to the numeric values in the chart.
• Expand the “Label Text” property and add the postfix. Then click the “Apply All” button.

• To change the color of the left Y-axis, click the highlighted pencil icon.
• Expand the “Font Style” properties, then choose the desired color for the axis.

• Let’s add a prefix (e.g., $ Sign) to the numeric values in the chart.
• Expand the “Label Text” property and add the prefix value. Then click the “Apply All” button.

How to Add Axis Labels in Excel: Step-By-Step

• Let’s add label properties on the left axis.
• Click the pencil icon located next to “Chart Label Left.”
• This will open a properties dialog where you can add a heading under the “Text” section.
• In the “Line 1” field, enter the appropriate label and enable the “Show” option. Click the “Apply” button to save the changes.
• To ensure the changes remain, click the “Save Changes” button.

• The final chart will appear below.

Insights

• Despite January’s lackluster sales performance, the profit margin reached its peak during the same month.
• July marked the pinnacle of sales achievement, with record-breaking numbers.
• In August, both profit margin and sales experienced a significant decline, raising concerns and warranting attention.

Change Axis Labels in a Chart

To change axis labels in a chart in Excel, follow these steps:

1. Click on the chart to select it.
2. Go to the “Chart Design” or “Chart Tools” tab at the top of the Excel window.
3. Click on “Select Data” in the “Data” group.
4. In the “Select Data Source” dialog box, you can edit the axis labels by clicking on the “Edit” button next to the Axis Labels box.
5. In the “Axis Labels” dialog box, you can enter the new range for your axis labels or select the cells containing the labels directly in your worksheet.
6. Click “OK” to apply the changes and close the dialog boxes.
7. Your chart will now display the updated axis labels based on your changes.

Change the Text of the Axis Labels

To change the text of the axis labels in Excel, you can follow these steps:

1. Click on the axis labels (the text on the x-axis or y-axis) that you want to change. This will select the axis labels.
2. Once the axis labels are selected, click a second time on the specific label you want to change. This will allow you to edit the text directly within the chart.
3. Alternatively, you can also click on the axis labels once to select them and then click on the formula bar at the top of the Excel window. From there, you can directly edit the text of the selected axis labels.
4. After editing the text, press Enter to confirm the changes.

Make Label text that’s Different From the Worksheet Labels

To make label text different from the worksheet labels in Excel, you can use custom axis labels. Here’s how:

1. Click on the chart to select it.
2. Right-click on the axis label you want to change and select “Format Axis” from the context menu.
3. In the Format Axis pane or dialog box, navigate to the “Axis Options” or “Labels” section.
4. Look for the option to set “Label Position” or “Label Alignment” and choose “Custom” or “Specify Interval Unit.”
5. Enter the custom label text you want to use for each axis label.
6. Click “OK” or “Apply” to confirm the changes.

How to Change the Format of Text and Numbers in Labels?

To change the format of text and numbers in labels in Excel, follow these steps:

1. Click on the chart to select it.
2. Right-click on the label you want to format (such as axis labels or data labels) and choose “Format [Label Type]” from the context menu. For example, if you want to format axis labels, right-click on one of the axis labels and select “Format Axis Labels.”
3. In the Format Axis Labels (or Format Data Labels) pane or dialog box that appears, navigate to the options related to text formatting. These options may vary depending on the type of label you’re formatting.
4. Adjust the font, font size, font color, alignment, and other formatting settings as desired.
5. If you want to format numbers specifically, such as changing the number format or adding a prefix/suffix, look for options related to number formatting.
6. Preview the changes in the chart to ensure they appear as intended.
7. Once you’re satisfied with the formatting, close the Format pane or dialog box to apply the changes.

Tips to Improve Axis Labels in Excel

• Select the appropriate chart type: Excel offers various chart types, such as column charts, lines, pie, bars, and scatter plots. Choose the chart type that best suits your data and the message you want to convey.
• Keep it Simple: Avoid using too many colors, labels, and data sets. A cluttered chart can be challenging to read and understand.
• Use descriptive titles and labels: Your chart’s title and labels should be descriptive and easy to understand. Most importantly, avoid using abbreviations and acronyms that your audience may not be familiar with.
• Highlight key data points: Highlight key data points using different colors or labels. This will help your audience focus on the most important information.
• Select suitable colors: Use colors that are easy on the eyes and complement each other. Avoid using too many colors or bright colors that may distract your audience.

FAQs

How do I add labels to the axis in Excel for Mac?

To add axis data labels, use ChartExpo for Excel. ChartExpo allows you to input or modify the labels to represent your data accurately.

1. Open your Excel document.
2. Select a chart or graph.
3. Right-click on the X or Y axis.
4. Select “Format Axis” from the menu.
5. Enter a label in the “Axis Title” box.
6. Click “OK”

How do I create an axis label range in Excel?

How do I add a label to a graph in Excel?

To add a label to your chart in Excel:

1. Select the chart and go to the “Chart Elements” tab.
2. Click the “Legend” button and choose the desired location for the legend.
3. Customize the legend’s appearance and labels from the “Format Legend” options.

Wrap Up

In conclusion, how to add axis labels in Excel is fundamental to creating clear and meaningful charts. Axis labels provide context and understanding of the data points displayed on the chart. This enables viewers to interpret and analyze the information effectively.

You can easily add axis labels to your Excel charts by following the steps outlined in this guide. Consequently, enhances their clarity and usability.

Remember to choose descriptive and easily understandable labels. Also, customize the appearance of the labels to align with your chart’s design. Finally, consider adding additional information or explanations to provide further context.

Additionally, we explored some of the best Excel charts for data analysis. These include the Multi-Axis Line Chart, Pareto Chart, Double Axis Line Graph, and Bar Chart. Each chart type has its unique purpose and can be used to convey different insights effectively.

To simplify the chart creation process and unlock a world of creative possibilities, use ChartExpo for Excel.

Why ChartExpo?

It has a user-friendly interface, diverse chart types, extensive customization options, and affordable pricing.