The vertical spacing between data points (e.g., in a bar chart) is adjusted using the "Gap Width" and "Series Overlap" options. These settings are located in the "Format Data Series" task pane. This pane is accessed by selecting the data series and then clicking the "Format Selection" button on the Format tab, or by double-clicking the data series directly.

While the question incorrectly places the option on the "Design" tab, "Format Selection" is the only command listed that opens the necessary controls for this specific formatting task. The other options apply broader, predefined changes to the chart's overall structure or appearance.

A. Add Chart Element: This command is used to add, remove, or position chart components like titles, legends, and gridlines, not to adjust data point spacing.

C. Chart Styles: This applies a predefined gallery of visual styles, including colors and effects, to the entire chart, but does not offer direct control over data spacing.

D. Choose Chart Layout: This option (known as "Quick Layout") applies a predefined arrangement of chart elements, not the granular spacing between individual data points in a series.

1. Microsoft Support Documentation: In the article "Change the gap width in a chart

" the official procedure is detailed: "Right-click a data series

and then click Format Data Series." The "Format Data Series" pane that opens is the same one launched by the "Format Selection" command on the Format tab. This document confirms that neither the Design tab nor the other options are used for this task.

Source: Microsoft 365 Support

"Change the gap width in a chart

" Section: "Change the gap width and overlap."

2. Microsoft Learn (Official MO-211 Path): The learning path for the MO-211 exam

"Excel: Creating and formatting charts

" specifies the method for detailed formatting: "To format any element of a chart

you can double-select it to open a formatting task pane." This action opens the same pane as "Format Selection" and is the correct procedure for modifying series options like gap width.

Source: Microsoft Learn

Module: "Excel: Creating and formatting charts

" Unit: "Format charts."

3. University of Wisconsin-Madison Courseware: In their Excel 2019 course materials

the process for modifying chart data series is outlined. It specifies using the "Format" tab and the "Format Selection" button or right-clicking the element to access the format pane where gap width can be changed.

Source: University of Wisconsin-Madison

"Excel 2019 - Part 4: Charts

" Page 7

Section: "Formatting a Data Series."