Comments on: Why Are My Excel Bar Chart Categories Backwards?

By: Jon Peltier

Jon Peltier — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 15:25:59 +0000

I think many of us have been using charts with axes along the bottom and left edges of a chart since we took pre-algebra in middle school. Often it makes more sense to put the vertical axis to the right, since that’s often where you find the latest and most important data. But we stick to our conventions because they look right or feel right.

By: Alex Kerin

Alex Kerin — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 14:58:37 +0000

Jon, thank you for the post. I suppose there’s an element of consolation that at least there’s a reason why they are not in the order we would expect them.

Tony brings up a good point as well – having the axis at the top is good, especially if it’s a chart that the user is not accustomed to.

By: Mike Alexander

Mike Alexander — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 14:42:40 +0000

Jon: Thank you for finally explaining why this happens. I’ve worked around this problem for so long, I gave up wondering why it happens a long time ago.

By: Tony

Tony — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 13:49:44 +0000

Jon – great explanation as to why this happens. Also, I often prefer the x-axis labels to be positioned at the top of the chart versus the bottom. I guess we scan from top to bottom and it’s easier to understand the scale first before looking at where the data falls.

By: chrisham

chrisham — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 09:28:33 +0000

At first I thougt of just skimming through! But thankfully I did not, the tick mark at the maximum value was something I did not understand. But this tutorial was just what the (Chart) Doctor Ordered.

By: derek

derek — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 08:10:20 +0000

Really, why can’t the “column” and “bar” chart types be abolished altogether, in favour of a “rotate by 90°” option available for all chart types? The axis would still have to be moved to the bottom for those who like it at the bottom, but at least the logic will make sense to users. (a “transpose axes” option will avoid the axis having to be moved, but leave you with the “backwards categories” headscratcher, although I’ve never had a conceptual problem with it)

Also, dot plots would now be a natural Excel chart type, instead of something that has to be kludged using a scatter plot.

By: Adam

Adam — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 06:01:37 +0000

Thank you! I have always known about the “Categories in reverse order” but the other tick option is great!

Now that saves me having to manually sort the categories…small things! :)