# Y-Axis Breaks in Charts
URL: https://docs.valsight.ai/y-axis-breaks-in-charts/
Description: A Y-axis break inserts a gap into the value axis so charts with large deviations or wide gaps in scale stay readable.
A Y-axis break inserts a gap into the value axis so charts with large deviations or wide gaps in scale stay readable. Instead of small bars or numbers being squashed by a few very large values, you can "cut out" a range of the axis and bring all data points into a comfortable viewing range.

## What it is

Y-axis breaks are configured per chart in the **Chart Editor**, under **Scales and Digits**.

You define a single break by setting the range to cut out (**From**–**To**) and how large the remaining visual gap should be (**Breakpoint size**). On save, the chart renders the break at that position, and all data above and below the break is drawn at a readable scale.

![A chart with a Y-axis break cutting out an empty range](./images/y-axis-breaks.png)

## When to use it

* When a few very large values flatten the rest of the chart and make smaller bars or lines hard to read
* When there is a wide, empty gap in your value range that wastes vertical space
* When presenting in boardroom settings, where every bar and number needs to be clearly legible

## Configuration

1. Open the chart in the **Chart Editor** and go to **Scales and Digits**.
2. Under **Settings**, below **Max Value**, turn on the **Show Y-Axis Breaks** toggle (off by default).
3. The break settings appear. Configure them as described below.
4. Save the chart. The break is drawn on the Y-axis.

![The Y-axis break settings in the Chart Editor under Scales and Digits](./images/y-axis-breaks-settings.png)

### Settings

| Setting                | Description                                                                         | Default |
| ---------------------- | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | ------- |
| **Show Y-Axis Breaks** | Turns the Y-axis break on or off for this chart.                                    | Off     |
| **From**               | The value where the break starts: the lower bound of the range cut out of the axis. | 0       |
| **To**                 | The value where the break ends: the upper bound of the range cut out of the axis.   | 0       |
| **Breakpoint size**    | The visual size of the gap shown in the chart at the break.                         | 1       |

### Supported chart types

Y-axis breaks are available for the standard cartesian chart types: **line, column, bar, area, and mixed charts**, as well as **bridge (waterfall) charts**.

## Good to know

* **Charts with multiple axes are not supported.** On these charts the **Show Y-Axis Breaks** toggle is disabled.
* Only one break can be defined per chart.
* The **From** and **To** values must sit within your data's value range for the break to be visible.