Excel 2007 : Horizontal Bar Chart - Vary the relative size/proportion of bar area and label area

My Excel skills are rudimentary, so please be tolerant.

I have produced an Excel horizontal bar chart and I wish to reduce the proportion of the chart used for the bars and increase the proportion used by labels.

I have long labels and only require short bars.

When I select the top left of the bar area and drag it to the right, it also drags the label area without changing its size. I end up with shrunken bars and labels that have not changed length.

I have tried changing chart area and plot area settings without success.

How do I change the proportion of the horizontal bar chart used by the bars & the labels?

A quick response would be very helpful & much appreciated.