How do we dynamically change the axis labels in Microsoft Excel 2010 depending upon the unit chosen for corresponding values?

Question

Let's say I have a chart in Excel where the x-axis has months in the last one year and y-axis has sales in either dollars or euros. Is there a way using which we can have the y-axis labels contain the corresponding currency symbol ($ or €) depending upon how the sales values have been indicated in the data?

Answer 1

Edit (changing labels) Axis labels pick up their formatting automatically from the underlying data by default. You can rely on this and simply change the formatting of the data and let it propagate. Alternatively, you can change the "Number" formatting on the axis label and force a given format (symbol) regardless of the underlying data.

Automatic (set on the data) If you want to go back to automatic after making manual changes, check the box in the Number section called "Linked to source".

Override (note that the y-data is euros but the axis label is dollar as set in the formatting menu)

Original (changing axis titles)

Axis titles can be set up using formulas. It is not entirely obvious, but if you select the axis label, you can type a formula in the formula bar. The easiest one is to set the formula equal to a cell where you do the logic and generate text with the $ or euro symbol.

Note in the example below I am generating the label based on the symbol in cell E2. You could generate the text based on the data or whatever method you want. The formula in the formula bar applies to the y-axis label.

The formula in cell E3 is ="SALES " & E2.

dollar example

euro example