Selecting the scale type

The scale option applies to scaled (value) axes, namely the Y and 2nd Y axes. The X (category) axis cannot be scaled because it is a text-labeled axis with no scale to modify. You cannot format the scales in scatter and bubble charts, as well as pie charts, which do not have axes.

To select the scale type:

  1. On the Chart tab, in the Axes group, click Scale Type More to expand the list.
  2. Select one of these options:
    Option Description
    Linear The Y axis is a basic decimal scale on which the data point values are directly mapped. This option is supported for all chart types.
    Percent The lower bound is set to 0 and the upper bound is set to 100. Data points represent data values as a percentage of their category sum. In other words, a data point value is divided by the sum of all data points in its category, then multiplied by 100 and plotted against the reformatted Y axis. This option is supported for bar, line, area, and combo charts.
    Log The Y axis is a base-10 logarithmic scale on which the data point values are directly mapped. Charts that include negative data cannot have a Log scale applied. This option is supported for bar, line, area, and combo charts.
  3. Click Save Changes.