Using vertical or diagonal text labels in charts might seem like a good space-saving technique, but it often leads to decreased readability. People are used to reading text horizontally, so when labels are oriented vertically or diagonally, it can be harder to read and understand them quickly. To keep your chart clear and easily interpretable, it's better to align text labels horizontally, the way most text is naturally read.

If you're dealing with long labels that make horizontal alignment challenging, consider opting for horizontal bar charts instead. These types of charts provide ample space to place long labels horizontally on the left side, ensuring that your chart remains both informative and accessible, without compromising on readability.