Here we have data for the top 10 islands in the Caribbean by population.
Let me insert a standard column chart and let’s look at how Excel plots the data.
When Excel plots data in a column chart, the labels run from left to right to left.
Now, what happens if I change this chart to a bar chart?
At first, you might think that Excel changed the sort order of the axis labels.
But, if you look closely, the order is the same.
The first value is plotted next to the origin, and subsequent values move away from the origin.
Luckily, Excel includes controls for quickly switching the order of axis values.
To make this change, right-click and open up axis options in the Format Task pane.
There, near the bottom, you’ll see a checkbox called “values in reverse order”.
When I check the box, Excel reverses the plot order.
Notice it also moves the horizontal axis to the right.
So when I reverse the order, the axis moves along with Cuba.
To fix this problem, you’ll want to set the horizontal axis to cross at the maximum value.
Now, if I switch back to a column chart, the reversed axis comes along too.
Keep in mind that you don’t have to reverse the axis in a case like this.
you’re free to always sort the source data.
