How to Create Intervals in Excel

By Cooper Temple

Using the Chart Tools, the axis intervals may be changed in Microsoft Excel.
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When you add charts to Excel you may notice that the program automatically chooses value intervals on the axes. Fortunately, Excel also offers you control in changing these values. Using the Chart Tools you are able to change the interval values based on different criteria, including the maximum and minimum values as well as the major and minor units in between. The Chart Tools are accessible by clicking on the desired chart.

Step 1

Launch Excel and open the spreadsheet that contains the chart for which you want to create intervals. Click the appropriate chart once to launch the “Chart Tools” menu.

Step 2

Click the “Format” tab in the Chart Tools menu and locate the “Current Selection” section. Click the “Chart Elements” icon and select the “Vertical (Value) Axis” option. Click the “Format Selection” tab on the “Format” tab which will open a separate dialogue window.

Step 3

Click the “Axis Options” tab. Click the “Fixed” box and type the desired interval values into the “Major Unit” and “Minor Unit” fields to create new intervals on the axis. Click the “OK” button to add the intervals to the chart.

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