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A 3-D chart, such as a 3-D column chart, has a depth (series) axis (axis: A line bordering the chart plot area used as a frame of reference for measurement. The y axis is usually the vertical axis and contains data. The x-axis is usually the horizontal axis and contains categories.) that you can change. You can specify the interval between tick marks and axis labels, change their placement along the axis, and reverse the order in which the series are displayed.

For information about how to change the scale of other axes, see Change the scale of the horizontal (category) axis in a chart or Change the scale of the vertical (value) axis in a chart.

1. In a 3-D chart, click the depth (series) axis that you want to change, or do the following to select the axis from a list of chart elements:
   1. Click anywhere in the chart.

      This displays the Chart Tools, adding the Design, Layout, and Format tabs.

   2. On the Format tab, in the Current Selection group, click the arrow next to the Chart Elements box, and then click Depth (Series) Axis.

      

2. On the Format tab, in the Current Selection group, click Format Selection.
3. Click Axis Options if it is not selected, and then do one or more of the following:

    Important   The following scaling options are available only when a depth (series) axis is selected. Axis Options provides different options for a vertical (value) axis or a horizontal (category) axis.

   • To change the interval between tick marks, in the Interval between tick marks box, type the number that you want.

      Note   The number that you type determines how many data series (data series: Related data points that are plotted in a chart. Each data series in a chart has a unique color or pattern and is represented in the chart legend. You can plot one or more data series in a chart. Pie charts have only one data series.) are displayed between the tick marks.

   • To change the interval between axis labels, under Interval between labels, click Specify interval unit, and then in the text box, type the number that you want.

      Tip   Type 1 to display a label for every data series, 2 to display a label for every other data series, 3 to display a label for every third data series, and so on.

   • To reverse the order of series, select the Series in reverse order check box.

      Note   This reverses the order of the data series that are displayed along the depth axis.

   • To change the placement of the axis tick marks and labels, select any of the options that you want in the Major tick mark type, Minor tick mark type, and Axis labels boxes.

 Tip   After changing the scale of the axis, you may also want to change the way that the axis is formatted. For more information, see Change the display of chart axes.