Excel 2010 Problem wrapping x axis labels in a chart

Question

I have tried all sorts of things to achieve this, to no avail.  Surely this must be something quite simple and straightforward? I have read numerous articles and help sites and still cannot work out how to get my labels to wrap.  I have formatted the titles in the datasheet to wrap, but it makes no difference. I keep clicking on the chart labels, looking for options and can find nothing.  The labels are just too long. Could someone please advise me, in simpleton terms, how to do this? I have no knowledge of VBA, by the way.  Very many thanks.

Answer 1

It means that your chart area is small to contain the word. You have following options, in this case -

1. Increase the chart area i.e. make its size bigger.
2. Decrease the font size (if you don't want to increase chart size)
3. (Not in your case, but in other cases words some times are big. In these cases, you can make words smaller rather than writing long words)

Below is the example where ..... is there and I have increased the chart size.

Answer 2

To wrap in Excel charts, there are two possible methods

1. Method 1 - Wrap your text by forcing next line by pressing ALT+ENTER. Below b is forced down by ALT+ENTER. Same for e f and g. d is not forced down by ALT+ENTER.

Now, in the chart they are wrapped.

2. Method 2 - You will have to use formula = "First Line"&CHAR(10)&"Second Line"&CHAR(10)&"Third Line" and so on

See below example -

1. ab has been entered as ="a"&CHAR(10)&"b"
2. cd has been entered as cd itself i.e. without CHAR(10)
3. efg has been entered as ="e"&CHAR(10)&"f"&CHAR(10)&"g"

Now, in chart ab and efg are wrapped whereas cd is not wrapped.

Answer 3

Hi Vijay, many thanks for your quick response. In the data sheet, both methods worked. However, in the chart, it shows the first word, followed by "..."  For example, I had ="Customer"&CHAR(10)&"Service" and it shows on two lines in the datasheet.  However, in the chart it shows Customer...  I feel we are on the right track, and half way there. I would appreciate some advice as to how I now get it to wrap in the labels.  Very many thanks again.

Answer 4

What a star you are! I simply enlarged the chart and it all fell into place! Thanks so much to you, Vijay.  Best wishes.

Answer 5

This forcing next line trick is awesome, thanks for sharing!