How do I plot negative bars/numbers BELOW the main axis in Excel

[Guest]

I want to be able to have bars on the chart plot above and below a main axis
line (zero). Can anyone tell me how to do that. I found an invert if negative
button but nothing happens when I choose it.

 

[Jon Peltier]

Invert if negative changes the colors of the bars/columns. See this page on
Andy Pope's site for the most lucid discussion I've read about it:

http://andypope.info/charts/Invertneg.htm

If you have positive and negative numbers and you create a column chart
using them, the positive columns will stretch up from the horizontal axis,
and the negative ones will hang down from the axis.

If you're having trouble, describe the data, the steps you've taken, and the
result, and why it differs from what you'd expect.

- Jon
-------
Jon Peltier, Microsoft Excel MVP
Peltier Technical Services - Tutorials and Custom Solutions -
http://PeltierTech.com/
2006 Excel User Conference, 19-21 April, Atlantic City, NJ
http://peltiertech.com/Excel/ExcelUserConf06.html
_______

 

[CuthbertTheBrave]

With regard to the 'invert if negative button' - if you are plotting negatives on a chart, and you want them to auto-format with red fill, it just got a lot easier in Excel 2010 by using this option.

Once you've created the bar/column chart, right-click on one of the bars and hop into the Fill settings. Choose the solid fill option (ie, not automatic) then click on your 'invert if negative' option. You'll then get a second fill colour that you can use for the negative columns!

I've written about this with some screengrabs here: http://www.wiseowl.co.uk/blog/s311/excel-charts.htm

The article also looks at moving the pesky axis labels off the plot area to below the chart.

Best, Michael.