Chart & Visualization Issues

How to Change the Vertical Time Axis Scale in Excel for Mac

Rana Garcia Oct 21, 2026 868 views

Question details

The user needs to change the scale and visual order of the vertical time axis in an Excel chart so that time values are displayed in a logical top-to-bottom or bottom-to-top sequence.

How to Change the Vertical Time Axis Scale in Excel for Mac

Product: Excel for Mac
Device & OS: Mac
Scenario: Creating or modifying a chart where vertical time values appear in an incorrect order (e.g., 11:00 PM displaying below 12:00 AM), making the data visualization confusing.
Observed behavior: The chart displays dates and times in an unexpected order because the source values are incorrectly formatted or the vertical axis bounds and ordering settings are misconfigured.

Before you start

Ensure your source data cells are formatted strictly as Date or Time values rather than plain text, as Excel cannot properly scale or reverse text-based chart axes.

Solution 1Recommended

Adjust the Vertical Axis Scale and Reverse Value Order

Modify the axis bounds and enable the reverse order setting to ensure times like 11:00 PM and 12:00 AM appear in the correct visual sequence on the chart.

Excel handles time as decimal fractions of a 24-hour day (e.g., 12:00 PM is 0.5). When manually adjusting the axis scale bounds for a time axis, you will need to input these decimal equivalents.

To fix illogical vertical placements where later times appear lower or higher than desired, you can simply reverse the plotting order of the values.

Access Axis Options

Click on your chart in Excel for Mac, then double-click the vertical (Y) axis containing the time values. Alternatively, right-click the axis and select 'Format Axis' from the context menu.

Adjust Bounds

In the Format Axis pane on the right side of the screen, locate the 'Axis Options' section. Under 'Bounds', adjust the Minimum and Maximum values using decimal time equivalents to set the specific time range you want to display.

Reverse the Axis Order

Scroll down within the Axis Options pane and check the box labeled 'Values in reverse order'. This will immediately invert the vertical axis, moving your 11:00 PM and 12:00 AM values to their logically desired positions.

Adjust the Vertical Axis Scale and Reverse Value Order

Tip for Time Intervals: To change the space between time ticks, adjust the 'Major' value under the Units section. For example, entering 0.0416667 sets a 1-hour interval between marks on the axis.

Solution 2

Verify and Convert Source Data Formatting

Ensure the chart reads the time values correctly by verifying that the source data is stored as actual time values instead of text strings.

Easily Format Charts in WPS Spreadsheet

Adjust Chart Axes Easily with WPS Spreadsheet for Mac

WPS Spreadsheet provides a highly compatible and intuitive charting tool for Mac users. You can effortlessly adjust axis scales, reverse value orders, and manage time-series data without dealing with complex nested menus.

1. Open Your File: Launch WPS Office for Mac and open your spreadsheet document.
2. Open Format Axis Pane: Click directly on the vertical time axis of your chart, right-click it, and choose 'Format Axis'.
3. Set Custom Bounds: In the properties panel that appears on the right, input your desired decimal values for the Minimum and Maximum bounds.
4. Reverse the Order: Check the 'Values in reverse order' box to instantly flip the vertical progression of your time chart.

Free to download and use on Mac devicesFully compatible with Microsoft Excel (.xlsx) formats and chart propertiesIntuitive chart formatting pane for precise axis controlLightweight software that runs smoothly on all Mac systems

Frequently Asked Questions

Why are my time values not updating when I change the vertical axis scale bounds?

Your time values might be stored as text rather than numerical time values. Excel ignores scale bounds for text. Use the 'Format Cells' option to convert the text to a standard Time format, re-type the times if necessary, so the chart can recognize and scale them properly.

How do I calculate the decimal value for time in Excel axis bounds?

Excel stores dates and times as serial numbers where one day equals 1. Therefore, hours are fractions of 1 (e.g., 12:00 PM is 0.5, 6:00 AM is 0.25, and 12:00 AM is 0.0 or 1.0 depending on the day). You must use these decimal values when manually setting the Minimum and Maximum axis bounds.

Can I change the axis interval from 2 hours to 1 hour?

Yes. Open the Format Axis pane, and locate the 'Major' unit under the Units section. Enter a decimal value corresponding to a 1-hour interval, which is 1 divided by 24 (approximately 0.0416667). The axis will update to display markers every hour.

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