Overview of charting

Microsoft Office Excel 2007 no longer provides the chart wizard. Instead, you can create a basic chart by clicking the chart type that you want on the Microsoft Office Fluent user interface Ribbon. To create a professional-looking chart that displays the details that you want, you can modify the chart, apply predefined styles and layouts, and add eye-catching formatting. You can also reuse a favorite chart by saving it as a chart template.

If you have Office Excel 2007 installed, you can also take advantage of the powerful Excel charting functionality in other 2007 Microsoft Office system programs, such as Microsoft Office PowerPoint 2007 and Microsoft Office Word 2007.

In this article

Charts and their elements

Creating charts in Excel

Creating charts in PowerPoint and Word

Modifying charts

Using predefined chart styles and chart layouts for a professional look

Adding eye-catching formatting to charts

Reusing charts by creating chart templates

Charts and their elements

Charts are used to display series of numeric data in a graphical format to make it easier to understand large quantities of data and the relationship between different series of data.

A chart has many elements. Some of these elements are displayed by default, others can be added as needed. You can change the display of the chart elements by moving them to other locations in the chart, resizing them, or by changing the format. You can also remove chart elements that you do not want to display.

The chart area (chart area: The entire chart and all its elements.) of the chart.

The plot area (plot area: In a 2-D chart, the area bounded by the axes, including all data series. In a 3-D chart, the area bounded by the axes, including the data series, category names, tick-mark labels, and axis titles.) of the chart.

The data points (data points: Individual values plotted in a chart and represented by bars, columns, lines, pie or doughnut slices, dots, and various other shapes called data markers. Data markers of the same color constitute a data series.) of the data series (data series: Related data points that are plotted in a chart. Each data series in a chart has a unique color or pattern and is represented in the chart legend. You can plot one or more data series in a chart. Pie charts have only one data series.) that are plotted in the chart.

The horizontal (category) and vertical (value) axis (axis: A line bordering the chart plot area used as a frame of reference for measurement. The y axis is usually the vertical axis and contains data. The x-axis is usually the horizontal axis and contains categories.) along which the data is plotted in the chart.

The legend (legend: A box that identifies the patterns or colors that are assigned to the data series or categories in a chart.) of the chart.

A chart and axis title (titles in charts: Descriptive text that is automatically aligned to an axis or centered at the top of a chart.) that you can use in the chart.

A data label (data label: A label that provides additional information about a data marker, which represents a single data point or value that originates from a datasheet cell.) that you can use to identify the details of a data point in a data series.

When you click anywhere in the chart area, and then hover the mouse pointer over one of these elements, Excel displays information about that element in a ScreenTip.

Clicking anywhere in a chart also makes the Chart Tools available, adding the Design, Layout, and Format tabs.

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Creating charts in Excel

To create a chart in Excel, you start by entering the data for the chart on a worksheet (worksheet: The primary document that you use in Excel to store and work with data. Also called a spreadsheet. A worksheet consists of cells that are organized into columns and rows; a worksheet is always stored in a workbook.). The data can be arranged in rows or columns — Excel automatically determines the best way to plot the data in the chart. Some chart types (such as pie and bubble charts) require a specific data arrangement as described in the following table.

Once you have entered the data for your chart, you can select the chart type that you want to use on the Office Fluent Ribbon (Insert tab, Charts group).

Worksheet data

Chart created from worksheet data

Excel supports many types of charts to help you display data in ways that are meaningful to your audience. When you create a chart or change an existing chart, you can select from a variety of chart types (such as a column chart or a pie chart) and their subtypes (such as a stacked column chart or a pie in 3-D chart).

For more information about the chart types that are supported and how to create a chart in Excel, see Available chart types and Create a chart.

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Creating charts in PowerPoint and Word

Charts are fully integrated with other 2007 Office release programs, such as Office PowerPoint 2007 and Office Word 2007. Both programs provide the same chart tools that are available in Excel. When you have Excel installed, you can create Excel charts in PowerPoint and Word by clicking the Chart button on the Ribbon (Insert tab, Illustrations group), and then by using the chart tools to modify or format the chart. Charts that you create will be embedded in Office PowerPoint 2007 and Office Word 2007, and the chart data is stored in an Excel worksheet that is incorporated in the PowerPoint or Word file.

 Note    If you work in Compatibility Mode in Word, you can insert a chart by using Microsoft Graph instead of Excel. In PowerPoint, you can always use Excel to create a chart.

You can also copy a chart from Excel to PowerPoint 2007 and Word 2007. When you copy a chart, it can be embedded as static data or linked to the workbook. For a chart that is linked to a workbook that you have access to, you can specify that it automatically checks for changes in the linked workbook whenever the chart is opened.

For more information about how to create a chart in PowerPoint 2007 or Office Word 2007, see Use charts and graphs in your presentation or Present data in a chart or graph.

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Modifying charts

After you create a chart, you can modify it. For example, you may want to change the way that axes (axis: A line bordering the chart plot area used as a frame of reference for measurement. The y axis is usually the vertical axis and contains data. The x-axis is usually the horizontal axis and contains categories.) are displayed, add a chart title, move or hide the legend, or display additional chart elements.

To modify a chart, you can:

• Change the display of chart axes  You can specify the scale of axes and adjust the interval between the values or categories that are displayed. To make your chart easier to read, you can also add tick marks (tick marks and tick-mark labels: Tick marks are small lines of measurement, similar to divisions on a ruler, that intersect an axis. Tick-mark labels identify the categories, values, or series in the chart.) to an axis, and specify the interval at which they will appear.
• Add titles and data labels to a chart  To help clarify the information that appears in your chart, you can add a chart title, axis titles, and data labels (data label: A label that provides additional information about a data marker, which represents a single data point or value that originates from a datasheet cell.).
• Add a legend or data table   You can show or hide a legend (legend: A box that identifies the patterns or colors that are assigned to the data series or categories in a chart.) or change its location. In some charts, you can also show a data table (data table: A range of cells that shows the results of substituting different values in one or more formulas. There are two types of data tables: one-input tables and two-input tables.) that displays the legend keys (legend keys: Symbols in legends that show the patterns and colors assigned to the data series (or categories) in a chart. Legend keys appear to the left of legend entries. Formatting a legend key also formats the data marker that's associated with it.) and the values that are presented in the chart.
• Apply special options for each chart type  Special lines (such as high-low lines and trendlines (trendline: A graphic representation of trends in data series, such as a line sloping upward to represent increased sales over a period of months. Trendlines are used for the study of problems of prediction, also called regression analysis.)), bars (such as up-down bars and error bars), data markers (data marker: A bar, area, dot, slice, or other symbol in a chart that represents a single data point or value that originates from a worksheet cell. Related data markers in a chart constitute a data series.), and other options are available for different chart types.

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Using predefined chart layouts and chart styles for a professional look

Instead of manually adding or changing chart elements or formatting the chart, you can quickly apply a predefined chart layout and chart style to your chart. Excel provides a variety of useful predefined layouts and styles that you can select from. As needed, you can fine-tune a layout or style by making manual changes to the layout and format of individual chart elements, such as the chart area (chart area: The entire chart and all its elements.), plot area (plot area: In a 2-D chart, the area bounded by the axes, including all data series. In a 3-D chart, the area bounded by the axes, including the data series, category names, tick-mark labels, and axis titles.), data series (data series: Related data points that are plotted in a chart. Each data series in a chart has a unique color or pattern and is represented in the chart legend. You can plot one or more data series in a chart. Pie charts have only one data series.), or legend (legend: A box that identifies the patterns or colors that are assigned to the data series or categories in a chart.) of the chart.

When you apply a predefined chart layout, a specific set of chart elements (such as titles (titles in charts: Descriptive text that is automatically aligned to an axis or centered at the top of a chart.), a legend, a data table (data table: A range of cells that shows the results of substituting different values in one or more formulas. There are two types of data tables: one-input tables and two-input tables.), or data labels (data label: A label that provides additional information about a data marker, which represents a single data point or value that originates from a datasheet cell.)) are displayed in a specific arrangement in your chart. You can select from a variety of layouts that are provided for each chart type.

When you apply a predefined chart style, the chart is formatted based on the document theme (theme: A combination of theme colors, theme fonts, and theme effects. A theme may be applied to a file as a single selection.) that you have applied, so that your chart matches your organization's or your own theme colors (theme colors: A set of colors that is used in a file. Theme colors, theme fonts, and theme effects compose a theme.) (a set of colors), theme fonts (theme fonts: A set of major and minor fonts that is applied to a file. Theme fonts, theme colors, and theme effects compose a theme.) (a set of heading and body text fonts), and theme effects (theme effects: A set of visual attributes that is applied to elements in a file. Theme effects, theme colors, and theme fonts compose a theme.) (a set of lines and fill effects).

 Note    You cannot create your own chart layouts or styles, but you can create chart templates that include the chart layout and formatting that you want. For more information about chart templates, see Reusing charts by creating chart templates.

For more information about how to change the look of a chart, see Change the layout or style of a chart.

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Adding eye-catching formatting to charts

In addition to applying a predefined chart style, you can easily apply formatting to individual chart elements such as data markers (data marker: A bar, area, dot, slice, or other symbol in a chart that represents a single data point or value that originates from a worksheet cell. Related data markers in a chart constitute a data series.), the chart area, the plot area, and the numbers and text in titles and labels to give your chart a custom, eye-catching look. You can apply specific shape styles and WordArt styles, but you can also format the shapes and text of chart elements manually.

To add formatting, you can:

• Fill chart elements  You can use colors, textures, pictures, and gradient fills to help draw attention to specific chart elements.
• Change the outline of chart elements  You can use colors, line styles, and line weights to emphasize chart elements.
• Add special effects to chart elements  You can apply special effects, such as shadow, reflection, glow, soft edges, bevel, and 3-D rotation to chart element shapes, which gives your chart a finished look.
• Format text and numbers  You can format text and numbers in titles, labels, and text boxes on a chart as you would text and numbers on a worksheet. To make text and numbers stand out, you can even apply WordArt styles.

For more information about how to format chart elements, see Format chart elements.

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Reusing charts by creating chart templates

If you want to reuse a chart that you customized to meet your needs, you can save that chart as a chart template (*.crtx) in the chart templates folder. When you create a chart, you can then apply the chart template just as you would any other built-in chart type. In fact, chart templates are true chart types, and you can also use them to change the chart type of an existing chart. If you use a chart template frequently, you can save it as the default chart type.

 Note    Chart templates are not based on document themes (theme: A combination of theme colors, theme fonts, and theme effects. A theme may be applied to a file as a single selection.). To use the current theme colors (theme colors: A set of colors that is used in a file. Theme colors, theme fonts, and theme effects compose a theme.), theme fonts (theme fonts: A set of major and minor fonts that is applied to a file. Theme fonts, theme colors, and theme effects compose a theme.), and theme effects (theme effects: A set of visual attributes that is applied to elements in a file. Theme effects, theme colors, and theme fonts compose a theme.) in a chart that you create by using a chart template, you can apply a style to the chart. A chart style resets the theme of a chart to the document theme. For more information, see Using predefined chart styles and chart layouts for a professional look.

For more information about how to use chart templates, see Create, apply, or remove a chart template.

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See Also

• Create a chart

Excel > Charts > Creating charts

Available chart types

Excel 2007

Microsoft Office Excel 2007 supports many types of charts to help you display data in ways that are meaningful to your audience. When you create a chart or change the type of an existing chart, you can select one of the following chart types.

Important  This article describes the chart types that you can use. For information about how to create a chart, see Create a chart.

In this article

Column charts

Line charts

Pie charts

Bar charts

Area charts

XY (scatter) charts

Stock charts

Surface charts

Doughnut charts

Bubble charts

Radar charts

Other types of charts that you can create in Excel

Column charts

Data that is arranged in columns or rows on a worksheet can be plotted in a column chart. Column charts are useful for showing data changes over a period of time or for illustrating comparisons among items.

In column charts, categories are typically organized along the horizontal axis and values along the vertical axis.

Column charts have the following chart subtypes:

• Clustered column and clustered column in 3-D  Clustered column charts compare values across categories. A clustered column chart displays values in 2-D vertical rectangles. A clustered column in 3-D chart displays the data by using a 3-D perspective only. A third value axis (depth axis) is not used.

You can use a clustered column chart type when you have categories that represent:

• Ranges of values (for example, item counts).
• Specific scale arrangements (for example, a Likert scale with entries, such as strongly agree, agree, neutral, disagree, strongly disagree).
• Names that are not in any specific order (for example, item names, geographic names, or the names of people).

 Note    To present data in a 3-D format that uses three axes (a horizontal axis, a vertical axis, and a depth axis) that you can modify, use a 3-D column chart subtype instead.

• Stacked column and stacked column in 3-D  Stacked column charts show the relationship of individual items to the whole, comparing the contribution of each value to a total across categories. A stacked column chart displays values in 2-D vertical stacked rectangles. A 3-D stacked column chart displays the data by using a 3-D perspective only. A third value axis (depth axis) is not used.

You can use a stacked column chart when you have multiple data series and when you want to emphasize the total.

• 100% stacked column and 100% stacked column in 3-D  100% stacked column charts and 100% stacked column in 3-D charts compare the percentage that each value contributes to a total across categories. A 100% stacked column chart displays values in 2-D vertical 100% stacked rectangles. A 3-D 100% stacked column chart displays the data by using a 3-D perspective only. A third value axis (depth axis) is not used.

You can use a 100% stacked column chart when you have three or more data series and you want to emphasize the contributions to the whole, especially if the total is the same for each category.

• 3-D column  3-D column charts use three axes that you can modify (a horizontal axis, a vertical axis, and a depth axis), and they compare data points (data points: Individual values plotted in a chart and represented by bars, columns, lines, pie or doughnut slices, dots, and various other shapes called data markers. Data markers of the same color constitute a data series.) along the horizontal and the depth axes.

You can use a 3-D column chart when you want to compare data across the categories and across the series equally, because this chart type shows categories along both the horizontal axis and the depth axis, whereas the vertical axis displays the values.

• Cylinder, cone, and pyramid  Cylinder, cone, and pyramid charts are available in the same clustered, stacked, 100% stacked, and 3-D chart types that are provided for rectangular column charts, and they show and compare data the same way. The only difference is that these chart types display cylinder, cone, and pyramid shapes instead of rectangles.

Tip  To create a column chart, see Present your data in a column chart.

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Line charts

Data that is arranged in columns or rows on a worksheet can be plotted in a line chart. Line charts can display continuous data over time, set against a common scale, and are therefore ideal for showing trends in data at equal intervals. In a line chart, category data is distributed evenly along the horizontal axis, and all value data is distributed evenly along the vertical axis.

You should use a line chart if your category labels are text, and are representing evenly spaced values such as months, quarters, or fiscal years. This is especially true if there are multiple series—for one series, you should consider using a category chart. You should also use a line chart if you have several evenly spaced numeric labels, especially years. If you have more than ten numeric labels, use a scatter chart instead.

Line charts have the following chart subtypes:

• Line and line with markers  Displayed with markers to indicate individual data values, or without, line charts are useful to show trends over time or ordered categories, especially when there are many data points and the order in which they are presented is important. If there are many categories or the values are approximate, use a line chart without markers.

• Stacked line and stacked line with markers  Displayed with markers to indicate individual data values, or without, stacked line charts can be used to show the trend of the contribution of each value over time or ordered categories, but because it is not easy to see that the lines are stacked, consider using a different line chart type or a stacked area chart instead.

• 100% stacked line and 100% stacked line with markers  Displayed with markers to indicate individual data values, or without, 100% stacked line charts are useful to show the trend of the percentage each value contributes over time or ordered categories. If there are many categories or the values are approximate, use a 100% stacked line chart without markers.

Tip  For a better presentation of this type of data, consider using a 100% stacked area chart instead.

• 3-D line  3-D line charts show each row or column of data as a 3-D ribbon. A 3-D line chart has horizontal, vertical, and depth axes that you can modify.

Tip  To create a line chart, see Present your data in a scatter chart or a line chart.

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Pie charts

Data that is arranged in one column or row only on a worksheet can be plotted in a pie chart. Pie charts show the size of items in one data series (data series: Related data points that are plotted in a chart. Each data series in a chart has a unique color or pattern and is represented in the chart legend. You can plot one or more data series in a chart. Pie charts have only one data series.), proportional to the sum of the items. The data points (data points: Individual values plotted in a chart and represented by bars, columns, lines, pie or doughnut slices, dots, and various other shapes called data markers. Data markers of the same color constitute a data series.) in a pie chart are displayed as a percentage of the whole pie.

Consider using a pie chart when:

• You only have one data series that you want to plot.
• None of the values that you want to plot are negative.
• Almost none of the values that you want to plot are zero values.
• You do not have more than seven categories.
• The categories represent parts of the whole pie.

Pie charts have the following chart subtypes:

• Pie and pie in 3-D  Pie charts display the contribution of each value to a total in a 2-D or 3-D format. You can pull out slices of a pie chart manually to emphasize the slices.

• Pie of pie and bar of pie  Pie of pie or bar of pie charts display pie charts with user-defined values that are extracted from the main pie chart and combined into a secondary pie chart or into a stacked bar chart. These chart types are useful when you want to make small slices in the main pie chart easier to distinguish.

• Exploded pie and exploded pie in 3-D  Exploded pie charts display the contribution of each value to a total while emphasizing individual values. Exploded pie charts can be displayed in 3-D format. You can change the pie explosion setting for all slices and individual slices, but you cannot move the slices of an exploded pie manually. If you want to pull out the slices manually, consider using a pie or pie in 3-D chart instead.

Tip  To create a pie chart, see Present your data in a pie chart.

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Bar charts

Data that is arranged in columns or rows on a worksheet can be plotted in a bar chart. Bar charts illustrate comparisons among individual items.

Consider using a bar chart when:

• The axis labels are long.
• The values that are shown are durations.

Bar charts have the following chart subtypes:

• Clustered bar and clustered bar in 3-D  Clustered bar charts compare values across categories. In a clustered bar chart, the categories are typically organized along the vertical axis, and the values along the horizontal axis. A clustered bar in 3-D chart displays the horizontal rectangles in 3-D format; it does not display the data on three axes.

• Stacked bar and stacked bar in 3-D  Stacked bar charts show the relationship of individual items to the whole. A stacked bar in 3-D chart displays the horizontal rectangles in 3-D format; it does not display the data on three axes.

• 100% stacked bar and 100% stacked bar in 3-D  This type of chart compares the percentage that each value contributes to a total across categories. A 100% stacked bar in 3-D chart displays the horizontal rectangles in 3-D format; it does not display the data on three axes.

• Horizontal cylinder, cone, and pyramid  These charts are available in the same clustered, stacked, and 100% stacked chart types that are provided for rectangular bar charts. They show and compare data the same way. The only difference is that these chart types display cylinder, cone, and pyramid shapes instead of horizontal rectangles.

Tip  To create a bar chart, see Present your data in a bar chart.

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Area charts

Data that is arranged in columns or rows on a worksheet can be plotted in an area chart. Area charts emphasize the magnitude of change over time, and can be used to draw attention to the total value across a trend. For example, data that represents profit over time can be plotted in an area chart to emphasize the total profit.

By displaying the sum of the plotted values, an area chart also shows the relationship of parts to a whole.

Area charts have the following chart subtypes:

• 2-D area and 3-D area  Whether they are shown in 2-D or in 3-D, area charts display the trend of values over time or other category data.3-D area charts use three axes (horizontal, vertical, and depth) that you can modify. As a rule, you should consider using a line chart instead of a nonstacked area chart, because data from one series can be obscured by data from another series.

• Stacked area and stacked area in 3-D  Stacked area charts display the trend of the contribution of each value over time or other category data. A stacked area chart in 3-D is displayed in the same way but uses a 3-D perspective. A 3-D perspective is not a true 3-D chart — a third value axis (depth axis) is not used.

• 100% stacked area and 100% stacked area in 3-D  100% stacked area charts display the trend of the percentage that each value contributes over time or other category data. A 100% stacked area chart in 3-D is displayed in the same way but uses a 3-D perspective. A 3-D perspective is not a true 3-D chart — a third value axis (depth axis) is not used.

Tip  To create an area chart, see Present your data in an area chart.

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XY (scatter) charts

Data that is arranged in columns and rows on a worksheet can be plotted in an xy (scatter) chart. Scatter charts show the relationships among the numeric values in several data series, or plots two groups of numbers as one series of xy coordinates.

A scatter chart has two value axes, showing one set of numeric data along the horizontal axis (x-axis) and another along the vertical axis (y-axis). It combines these values into single data points and displays them in irregular intervals, or clusters. Scatter charts are typically used for displaying and comparing numeric values, such as scientific, statistical, and engineering data.

Consider using a scatter chart when:

• You want to change the scale of the horizontal axis.
• You want to make that axis a logarithmic scale.
• Values for horizontal axis are not evenly spaced.
• There are many data points on the horizontal axis.
• You want to effectively display worksheet data that includes pairs or grouped sets of values and adjust the independent scales of a scatter chart to reveal more information about the grouped values.
• You want to show similarities between large sets of data instead of differences between data points.
• You want to compare many data points without regard to time—the more data that you include in a scatter chart, the better the comparisons that you can make.

To arrange data on a worksheet for a scatter chart, you should place the x values in one row or column, and then enter the corresponding y values in the adjacent rows or columns.

Scatter charts have the following chart subtypes:

• Scatter with only markers  This type of chart compares pairs of values. Use a scatter chart with data markers (data marker: A bar, area, dot, slice, or other symbol in a chart that represents a single data point or value that originates from a worksheet cell. Related data markers in a chart constitute a data series.) but without lines when you use many data points and connecting lines would make the data more difficult to read. You can also use this chart type when you do not have to show connectivity of the data points.

• Scatter with smooth lines and scatter with smooth lines and markers  This type of chart displays a smooth curve that connects the data points. Smooth lines can be displayed with or without markers. Use a smooth line without markers if there are many data points.

• Scatter with straight lines and scatter with straight lines and markers  This type of chart displays straight connecting lines between data points. Straight lines can be displayed with or without markers.

Tip  To create a scatter chart, see Present your data in a scatter chart or a line chart.

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Stock charts

Data that is arranged in columns or rows in a specific order on a worksheet can be plotted in a stock chart. As its name implies, a stock chart is most often used to illustrate the fluctuation of stock prices. However, this chart may also be used for scientific data. For example, you could use a stock chart to indicate the fluctuation of daily or annual temperatures. You must organize your data in the correct order to create stock charts.

The way stock chart data is organized in the worksheet is very important. For example, to create a simple high-low-close stock chart, you should arrange your data with High, Low, and Close entered as column headings, in that order.

Stock charts have the following chart sub-types:

• High-low-close  The high-low-close stock chart is often used to illustrate stock prices. It requires three series of values in the following order: high, low, and then close.

• Open-high-low-close  This type of stock chart requires four series of values in the correct order (open, high, low, and then close).

• Volume-high-low-close  This type of stock chart requires four series of values in the correct order (volume, high, low, and then close). It measures volume by using two value axes: one for the columns that measure volume, and the other for the stock prices.

• Volume-open-high-low-close  This type of stock chart requires five series of values in the correct order (volume, open, high, low, and then close).

Tip  To create a stock chart, see Present your data in a stock chart.

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Surface charts

Data that is arranged in columns or rows on a worksheet can be plotted in a surface chart. A surface chart is useful when you want to find optimum combinations between two sets of data. As in a topographic map, colors and patterns indicate areas that are in the same range of values.

You can use a surface chart when both categories and data series are numeric values.

Surface charts have the following chart subtypes:

• 3-D surface  3-D surface charts show trends in values across two dimensions in a continuous curve. Color bands in a surface chart do not represent the data series; they represent the distinction between the values. This chart shows a 3-D view of the data, which can be imagined as a rubber sheet stretched over a 3-D column chart. It is typically used to show relationships between large amounts of data that may otherwise be difficult to see.

• Wireframe 3-D surface  When displayed without color on the surface, a 3-D surface chart is called a wireframe 3-D surface chart. This chart shows only the lines. A 3-D surface chart that is displayed without color bands on any surface is called a wireframe 3-D surface chart. This chart shows only the lines.

 Note    A wireframe 3-D surface chart is not easy to read, but this chart type is useful for faster plotting of large data sets.

• Contour  Contour charts are surface charts viewed from above, similar to 2-D topographic maps. In a contour chart, color bands represent specific ranges of values. The lines in a contour chart connect interpolated points of equal value.

• Wireframe contour  Wireframe contour charts are also surface charts viewed from above. Without color bands on the surface, a wireframe chart shows only the lines.

 Note    Wireframe contour charts are not easy to read. You may want to use a 3-D surface chart instead.

Tip  To create a surface chart, see Present your data in a surface chart.

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Doughnut charts

Data that is arranged in columns or rows only on a worksheet can be plotted in a doughnut chart. Like a pie chart, a doughnut chart shows the relationship of parts to a whole, but it can contain more than one data series (data series: Related data points that are plotted in a chart. Each data series in a chart has a unique color or pattern and is represented in the chart legend. You can plot one or more data series in a chart. Pie charts have only one data series.).

 Note    Doughnut charts are not easy to read. You may want to use a stacked column or stacked bar chart instead.

Doughnut charts have the following chart subtypes:

• Doughnut  Doughnut charts display data in rings, where each ring represents a data series. If percentages are displayed in data labels, each ring will total 100%.

• Exploded Doughnut  Much like exploded pie charts, exploded doughnut charts display the contribution of each value to a total while emphasizing individual values, but they can contain more than one data series.

Tip  To create a doughnut chart, see Present your data in a doughnut chart.

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Bubble charts

Data that is arranged in columns on a worksheet so that x values are listed in the first column and corresponding y values and bubble size values are listed in adjacent columns, can be plotted in a bubble chart.

For example, you would organize your data as shown in the following example.

Bubble charts have the following chart subtypes:

• Bubble or bubble with 3-D effect  Both bubble chart types compare sets of three values instead of two. The third value determines the size of the bubble marker. You can choose to display bubbles in 2-D format or with a 3-D effect.

Tip  To create a bubble chart, see Present your data in a bubble chart.

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Radar charts

Data that is arranged in columns or rows on a worksheet can be plotted in a radar chart. Radar charts compare the aggregate values of several data series (data series: Related data points that are plotted in a chart. Each data series in a chart has a unique color or pattern and is represented in the chart legend. You can plot one or more data series in a chart. Pie charts have only one data series.).

Radar charts have the following chart subtypes:

• Radar and radar with markers  With or without markers for individual data points, radar charts display changes in values relative to a center point.

• Filled radar  In a filled radar chart, the area covered by a data series is filled with a color.

Tip  To create a radar chart, see Present your data in a radar chart.

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Other types of charts that you can create in Excel

If you do not see the chart type that you want to create on the list of available chart types, there may be another way to create it in Excel.

For example, you can create the following charts:

• Gantt charts and floating column charts  You can use a chart type to simulate these types of charts. For example, you can use a bar chart to simulate a Gantt chart, or you can use a column chart to simulate a floating column chart that depicts minimum and maximum values. For more information, see Present your data in a Gantt chart in Excel and Present your data in a column chart.
• Combination charts  To emphasize different types of information in a chart, you can combine two or more chart types in that chart. For example, you can combine a column chart with a line chart for an instant visual effect that might make the chart easier to understand. For more information, see Present your data in a combination chart.
• Organization charts  You can insert an SmartArt graphic to create an organization chart, flow chart, or hierarchy chart. For more information, see Create an organization chart.
• Histogram and pareto charts  To create a histogram or pareto (sorted histogram) chart in Excel, you can use the Data Analysis Tools that become available after you load the Analysis ToolPak, an Excel add-in program that is available when you install Microsoft Office or Excel. For more information, see Present your data in a histogram.

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See Also

• Change the chart type of an existing chart
• Create a chart
• Create an organization chart
• Present your data in a combination chart
• Present your data in a Gantt chart in Excel
• Present your data in a histogram
• Reuse a favorite chart by using a chart template

Excel > Charts > Creating charts

Create a chart

Excel 2007

Tags  bar chart; chart; chart data; chart template; chart type; chart wizard; create a chart; flow charts; graph; insert chart; pivot

What are tags?

Microsoft Office Excel 2007 no longer provides the chart wizard. Instead, you can create a basic chart by clicking the chart type that you want on the Microsoft Office Fluent user interface Ribbon. To create a chart that displays the details that you want, you can then continue with the next steps of the following step-by-step process.

What do you want to do?

Learn about charts

Step 1: Create a basic chart

Step 2: Change the layout or style of a chart

Apply a predefined chart layout

Apply a predefined chart style

Change the layout of chart elements manually

Change the format of chart elements manually

Step 3: Add or remove titles or data labels

Add a chart title

Add axis titles

Link a title to a worksheet cell

Add data labels

Remove titles or data labels from a chart

Step 4: Show or hide a legend

Step 5: Display or hide chart axes or gridlines

Display or hide primary axes

Display or hide secondary axes

Display or hide gridlines

Step 6: Move or resize a chart

Move a chart

Resize a chart

Step 7: Save a chart as a template

Learn about charts

Charts are used to display series of numeric data in a graphical format to make it easier to understand large quantities of data and the relationship between different series of data.

To create a chart in Excel, you start by entering the numeric data for the chart on a worksheet (worksheet: The primary document that you use in Excel to store and work with data. Also called a spreadsheet. A worksheet consists of cells that are organized into columns and rows; a worksheet is always stored in a workbook.). Then you can plot that data into a chart by selecting the chart type that you want to use on the Office Fluent Ribbon (Insert tab, Charts group).

Worksheet data

Chart created from worksheet data

Excel supports many types of charts to help you display data in ways that are meaningful to your audience. When you create a chart or change an existing chart, you can select from a variety of chart types (such as a column chart or a pie chart) and their subtypes (such as a stacked column chart or a pie in 3-D chart). You can also create a combination chart by using more than one chart type in your chart.

Example of a combination chart that uses a column and line chart type.

For more information about the chart types that you can select in Excel, see Available chart types.

Getting to know the elements of a chart

A chart has many elements. Some of these elements are displayed by default, others can be added as needed. You can change the display of the chart elements by moving them to other locations in the chart, resizing them, or by changing the format. You can also remove chart elements that you do not want to display.

The chart area (chart area: The entire chart and all its elements.) of the chart.

The plot area (plot area: In a 2-D chart, the area bounded by the axes, including all data series. In a 3-D chart, the area bounded by the axes, including the data series, category names, tick-mark labels, and axis titles.) of the chart.

The data points (data points: Individual values plotted in a chart and represented by bars, columns, lines, pie or doughnut slices, dots, and various other shapes called data markers. Data markers of the same color constitute a data series.) of the data series (data series: Related data points that are plotted in a chart. Each data series in a chart has a unique color or pattern and is represented in the chart legend. You can plot one or more data series in a chart. Pie charts have only one data series.) that are plotted in the chart.

The horizontal (category) and vertical (value) axis (axis: A line bordering the chart plot area used as a frame of reference for measurement. The y axis is usually the vertical axis and contains data. The x-axis is usually the horizontal axis and contains categories.) along which the data is plotted in the chart.

The legend (legend: A box that identifies the patterns or colors that are assigned to the data series or categories in a chart.) of the chart.

A chart and axis title (titles in charts: Descriptive text that is automatically aligned to an axis or centered at the top of a chart.) that you can use in the chart.

A data label (data label: A label that provides additional information about a data marker, which represents a single data point or value that originates from a datasheet cell.) that you can use to identify the details of a data point in a data series.

Modifying a basic chart to meet your needs

After you create a chart, you can modify any one of its elements. For example, you might want to change the way that axes are displayed, add a chart title, move or hide the legend, or display additional chart elements.

To modify a chart, you can:

• Change the display of chart axes  You can specify the scale of axes and adjust the interval between the values or categories that are displayed. To make your chart easier to read, you can also add tick marks (tick marks and tick-mark labels: Tick marks are small lines of measurement, similar to divisions on a ruler, that intersect an axis. Tick-mark labels identify the categories, values, or series in the chart.) to an axis, and specify the interval at which they will appear.
• Add titles and data labels to a chart  To help clarify the information that appears in your chart, you can add a chart title, axis titles, and data labels.
• Add a legend or data table   You can show or hide a legend, change its location, or modify the legend entries. In some charts, you can also show a data table (data table: A range of cells that shows the results of substituting different values in one or more formulas. There are two types of data tables: one-input tables and two-input tables.) that displays the legend keys (legend keys: Symbols in legends that show the patterns and colors assigned to the data series (or categories) in a chart. Legend keys appear to the left of legend entries. Formatting a legend key also formats the data marker that's associated with it.) and the values that are presented in the chart.
• Apply special options for each chart type  Special lines (such as high-low lines and trendlines (trendline: A graphic representation of trends in data series, such as a line sloping upward to represent increased sales over a period of months. Trendlines are used for the study of problems of prediction, also called regression analysis.)), bars (such as up-down bars and error bars), data markers (data marker: A bar, area, dot, slice, or other symbol in a chart that represents a single data point or value that originates from a worksheet cell. Related data markers in a chart constitute a data series.), and other options are available for different chart types.

Applying a predefined chart layout and chart style for a professional look

Instead of manually adding or changing chart elements or formatting the chart, you can quickly apply a predefined chart layout and chart style to your chart. Excel provides a variety of useful predefined layouts and styles that you can select, but you can fine-tune a layout or style if it is needed by making manual changes to the layout and format of individual chart elements, such as the chart area, plot area, data series, or legend of the chart.

When you apply a predefined chart layout, a specific set of chart elements (such as titles, a legend, a data table, or data labels) are displayed in a specific arrangement in your chart. You can select from a variety of layouts that are provided for each chart type.

When you apply a predefined chart style, the chart is formatted based on the document theme (theme: A combination of theme colors, theme fonts, and theme effects. A theme may be applied to a file as a single selection.) that you have applied, so that your chart matches your organization's or your own theme colors (theme colors: A set of colors that is used in a file. Theme colors, theme fonts, and theme effects compose a theme.) (a set of colors), theme fonts (theme fonts: A set of major and minor fonts that is applied to a file. Theme fonts, theme colors, and theme effects compose a theme.) (a set of heading and body text fonts), and theme effects (theme effects: A set of visual attributes that is applied to elements in a file. Theme effects, theme colors, and theme fonts compose a theme.) (a set of lines and fill effects).

You cannot create your own chart layouts or styles, but you can create chart templates that include the chart layout and formatting that you want.

Adding eye-catching formatting to a chart

In addition to applying a predefined chart style, you can easily apply formatting to individual chart elements such as data markers, the chart area, the plot area, and the numbers and text in titles and labels to give your chart a custom, eye-catching look. You can apply specific shape styles and WordArt styles, and you can also format the shapes and text of chart elements manually.

To add formatting, you can:

• Fill chart elements  You can use colors, textures, pictures, and gradient fills to help draw attention to specific chart elements.
• Change the outline of chart elements  You can use colors, line styles, and line weights to emphasize chart elements.
• Add special effects to chart elements  You can apply special effects, such as shadow, reflection, glow, soft edges, bevel, and 3-D rotation to chart element shapes, which gives your chart a finished look.
• Format text and numbers  You can format text and numbers in titles, labels, and text boxes on a chart as you would text and numbers on a worksheet. To make text and numbers stand out, you can even apply WordArt styles.

Reusing charts by creating chart templates

If you want to reuse a chart that you customized to meet your needs, you can save that chart as a chart template (*.crtx) in the chart templates folder. When you create a chart, you can then apply the chart template just as you would any other built-in chart type. In fact, chart templates are custom chart types — you can also use them to change the chart type of an existing chart. If you use a specific chart template frequently, you can save it as the default chart type.

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Step 1: Create a basic chart

For most charts, such as column and bar charts, you can plot the data that you arrange in rows or columns on a worksheet (worksheet: The primary document that you use in Excel to store and work with data. Also called a spreadsheet. A worksheet consists of cells that are organized into columns and rows; a worksheet is always stored in a workbook.) into a chart. However, some chart types (such as pie and bubble charts) require a specific data arrangement.

1. On the worksheet, arrange the data that you want to plot in a chart.

The data can be arranged in rows or columns — Excel automatically determines the best way to plot the data in the chart. Some chart types (such as pie and bubble charts) require a specific data arrangement as described in the following table.

2. Select the cells that contain the data that you want to use for the chart.

Tip  If you select only one cell, Excel automatically plots all cells that contain data that is adjacent to that cell into a chart. If the cells that you want to plot in a chart are not in a continuous range, you can select nonadjacent cells or ranges as long as the selection forms a rectangle. You can also hide the rows or columns that you do not want to plot in the chart.

How to select cells, ranges, rows, or columns

3. On the Insert tab, in the Charts group, do one of the following:
   • Click the chart type, and then click a chart subtype that you want to use.
   • To see all available chart types, click a chart type, and then click All Chart Types to display the Insert Chart dialog box, click the arrows to scroll through all available chart types and chart subtypes, and then click the ones that you want to use.

Tip  A ScreenTip displays the chart type name when you rest the mouse pointer over any chart type or chart subtype. For more information about the chart types that you can use, see Available chart types.

4. By default, the chart is placed on the worksheet as an embedded chart (embedded chart: A chart that is placed on a worksheet rather than on a separate chart sheet. Embedded charts are beneficial when you want to view or print a chart or a PivotChart report with its source data or other information in a worksheet.). If you want to place the chart in a separate chart sheet (chart sheet: A sheet in a workbook that contains only a chart. A chart sheet is beneficial when you want to view a chart or a PivotChart report separately from worksheet data or a PivotTable report.), you can change its location by doing the following:
   • Click the embedded chart to select it.

This displays the Chart Tools, adding the Design, Layout, and Format tabs.

• On the Design tab, in the Location group, click Move Chart.

• Under Choose where you want the chart to be placed, do one of the following:
  • To display the chart in a chart sheet, click New sheet.

Tip  If you want to replace the suggested name for the chart, you can type a new name in the New sheet box.

• To display the chart as an embedded chart in a worksheet, click Object in, and then click a worksheet in the Object in box.
5. Excel automatically assigns a name to the chart, such as Chart1 if it is the first chart that you create on a worksheet. To change the name of the chart, do the following:
   • Click the chart.
   • On the Layout tab, in the Properties group, click the Chart Name text box.

Tip  If necessary, click the Properties icon in the Properties group to expand the group.

• Type a new name.
• Press ENTER.

 Notes 

• To quickly create a chart that is based on the default chart type, select the data that you want to use for the chart, and then press ALT+F1 or F11. When you press ALT+F1, the chart is displayed as an embedded chart; when you press F11, the chart is displayed on a separate chart sheet.
• When you create a chart, Excel determines the orientation of the data series based on the number of worksheet rows and columns that are included in the chart. After you create a chart, you can change the way that worksheet rows and columns are plotted in the chart by switching rows to columns or vice versa. For more information, see Plot data series from worksheet rows or columns.
• After you create a chart, you can quickly change the chart type of the whole chart to give the chart a different look, or you can select a different chart type for any single data series, which turns the chart into a combination chart. For more information, see Change the chart type of an existing chart.
• If you no longer need a chart, you can delete it. Click the chart to select it, and then press DELETE.

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Step 2: Change the layout or style of a chart

After you create a chart, you can instantly change its look. Instead of manually adding or changing chart elements or formatting the chart, you can quickly apply a predefined layout and style to your chart. Excel provides a variety of useful predefined layouts and styles (or quick layouts and quick styles) that you can select from, but you can customize a layout or style as needed by manually changing the layout and format of individual chart elements.

Apply a predefined chart layout

1. Click the chart that you want to format by using a predefined chart layout.

Tip  This displays the Chart Tools, adding the Design, Layout, and Format tabs.

2. On the Design tab, in the Chart Layouts group, click the chart layout that you want to use.

 Note    When the size of the Excel window is reduced, chart layouts will be available in the Quick Layout gallery in the Chart Layouts group.

Tip  To see all available layouts, click More .

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Apply a predefined chart style

1. Click the chart that you want to format by using a predefined chart style.

Tip  This displays the Chart Tools, adding the Design, Layout, and Format tabs.

2. On the Design tab, in the Chart Styles group, click the chart style that you want to use.

 Note    When the size of the Excel window is reduced, chart styles will be available in the Chart Quick Styles gallery in the Chart Styles group.

Tip  To see all predefined chart styles, click More .

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Change the layout of chart elements manually

1. Click the chart or the chart element for which you want to change the layout, or do the following to select a chart element from a list of chart elements.
   1. Click anywhere in the chart to display the Chart Tools.
   2. On the Format tab, in the Current Selection group, click the arrow next to the Chart Elements box, and then click the chart element that you want.

2. On the Layout tab, in the Labels, Axes, or Background group, click the chart element that you want to change, and then click the layout option that you want.

 Note    The layout options that you select are applied to the chart element that you have selected. For example, if you have the entire chart selected, data labels (data label: A label that provides additional information about a data marker, which represents a single data point or value that originates from a datasheet cell.) will be applied to all data series (data series: Related data points that are plotted in a chart. Each data series in a chart has a unique color or pattern and is represented in the chart legend. You can plot one or more data series in a chart. Pie charts have only one data series.). If you have a single data point selected, data labels will only be applied to the selected data series or data point.

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Change the format of chart elements manually

1. Click the chart or the chart element for which you want to change the style, or do the following to select a chart element from a list of chart elements.
   1. Click a chart to display the Chart Tools.
   2. On the Format tab, in the Current Selection group, click the arrow next to the Chart Elements box, and then click the chart element that you want.

2. Tip  This displays the Chart Tools, adding the Design, Layout, and Format tabs.
3. On the Format tab, do any of the following:
   1. To format any selected chart element, in the Current Selection group, click Format Selection, and then select the formatting options that you want.
   2. To format the shape of a selected chart element, in the Shape Styles group, click the style that you want, or click Shape Fill, Shape Outline, or Shape Effects, and then select the formatting options that you want.
   3. To format the text in a selected chart element by using WordArt, in the WordArt Styles group, click the style that you want, or click Text Fill, Text Outline, or Text Effects, and then select the formatting options that you want.

 Note    After you apply a WordArt style, you cannot remove the WordArt format. If you do not want the WordArt style that you applied, you can select another WordArt style, or you can click Undo on the Quick Access Toolbar to return to the previous text format.

Tip  To use regular text formatting to format the text in chart elements, you can right-click or select the text, and then click the formatting options that you want on the Mini toolbar. You can also use the formatting buttons on the Ribbon (Home tab, Font group).

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Step 3: Add or remove titles or data labels

To make a chart easier to understand, you can add titles (titles in charts: Descriptive text that is automatically aligned to an axis or centered at the top of a chart.), such as a chart title and axis titles. Axis titles are typically available for all axes (axis: A line bordering the chart plot area used as a frame of reference for measurement. The y axis is usually the vertical axis and contains data. The x-axis is usually the horizontal axis and contains categories.) that can be displayed in a chart, including depth (series) axes in 3-D charts. Some chart types (such as radar charts) have axes, but they cannot display axis titles. Chart types that do not have axes (such as pie and doughnut charts) cannot display axis titles either.

You can also link chart and axis titles to corresponding text in worksheet (worksheet: The primary document that you use in Excel to store and work with data. Also called a spreadsheet. A worksheet consists of cells that are organized into columns and rows; a worksheet is always stored in a workbook.) cells by creating a reference to those cells. Linked titles are automatically updated in the chart when you change the corresponding text on the worksheet.

To quickly identify a data series (data series: Related data points that are plotted in a chart. Each data series in a chart has a unique color or pattern and is represented in the chart legend. You can plot one or more data series in a chart. Pie charts have only one data series.) in a chart, you can add data labels (data label: A label that provides additional information about a data marker, which represents a single data point or value that originates from a worksheet cell.) to the data points (data points: Individual values plotted in a chart and represented by bars, columns, lines, pie or doughnut slices, dots, and various other shapes called data markers. Data markers of the same color constitute a data series.) of the chart. By default, the data labels are linked to values on the worksheet, and they update automatically when changes are made to these values.

Add a chart title

1. Click the chart to which you want to add a title.

This displays the Chart Tools, adding the Design, Layout, and Format tabs.

2. On the Layout tab, in the Labels group, click Chart Title.

3. Click Centered Overlay Title or Above Chart.
4. In the Chart Title text box that appears in the chart, type the text that you want.

Tip  To insert a line break, click to place the pointer where you want to break the line, and then press ENTER.

5. To format the text, select it, and then click the formatting options that you want on the Mini toolbar.

Tip  You can also use the formatting buttons on the Ribbon (Home tab, Font group). To format the whole title, you can right-click it, click Format Chart Title, and then select the formatting options that you want.

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Add axis titles

1. Click the chart to which you want to add axis titles.

This displays the Chart Tools, adding the Design, Layout, and Format tabs.

2. On the Layout tab, in the Labels group, click Axis Titles.

3. Do any of the following:
   • To add a title to a primary horizontal (category) axis, click Primary Horizontal Axis Title, and then click the option that you want.

Tip  If the chart has a secondary horizontal axis, you can also click Secondary Horizontal Axis Title.

• To add a title to primary vertical (value) axis, click Primary Vertical Axis Title, and then click the option that you want.

Tip  If the chart has a secondary vertical axis, you can also click Secondary Vertical Axis Title.

• To add a title to a depth (series) axis, click Depth Axis Title, and then click the option that you want.

 Note    This option is only available when the selected chart is a true 3-D chart, such as a 3-D column chart.

4. In the Axis Title text box that appears in the chart, type the text that you want.

Tip  To insert a line break, click to place the pointer where you want to break the line, and then press ENTER.

5. To format the text, select it, and then click the formatting options that you want on the Mini toolbar.

Tip  You can also use the formatting buttons on the Ribbon (Home tab, Font group). To format the whole title, you can right-click it, click Format Axis Title , and then select the formatting options that you want.

 Notes 

• If you switch to another chart type that does not support axis titles (such as a pie chart), the axis titles will no longer be displayed. The titles will be displayed again when you switch back to a chart type that does support axis titles.
• Axis titles that are displayed for secondary axes will be lost when you switch to a chart type that does not display secondary axes.

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Link a title to a worksheet cell

1. On a chart, click the chart or axis title that you want to link to a worksheet cell.
2. On the worksheet, click in the formula bar (formula bar: A bar at the top of the Excel window that you use to enter or edit values or formulas in cells or charts. Displays the constant value or formula stored in the active cell.), and then type an equal sign (=).
3. Select the worksheet cell that contains the data or text that you want to display in your chart.

Tip  You can also type the reference to the worksheet cell in the formula bar. Include an equal sign, the sheet name, followed by an exclamation point; for example, =Sheet1!F2

4. Press ENTER.

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Add data labels

1. On a chart, do one of the following:
   • To add a data label to all data points of all data series, click the chart area (chart area: The entire chart and all its elements.).
   • To add a data label to all data points of a data series, click anywhere in the data series that you want to label.
   • To add a data label to a single data point in a data series, click the data series that contains the data point that you want to label, and then click the data point that you want to label.

This displays the Chart Tools, adding the Design, Layout, and Format tabs.

2. On the Layout tab, in the Labels group, click Data Labels, and then click the display option that you want.

 Note    Depending on the chart type that you used, different data label options will be available.

Tip  For more information about how to change data label entries or how to reposition data labels, see Add or remove data labels in a chart.

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Remove titles or data labels from a chart

1. Click the chart.

This displays the Chart Tools, adding the Design, Layout, and Format tabs.

2. On the Layout tab, in the Labels group, do one of the following:
   • To remove a chart title, click Chart Title, and then click None.
   • To remove an axis title, click Axis Title, click the type of axis title that you want to remove, and then click None.
   • To remove data labels (data label: A label that provides additional information about a data marker, which represents a single data point or value that originates from a datasheet cell.), click Data Labels, and then click None.

Tip  To quickly remove a title or data label, click it, and then press DELETE.

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Step 4: Show or hide a legend

When you create a chart, the legend (legend: A box that identifies the patterns or colors that are assigned to the data series or categories in a chart.) appears, but you can hide the legend or change its location after you create the chart.

1. Click the chart in which you want to show or hide a legend.

This displays the Chart Tools, adding the Design, Layout, and Format tabs.

2. On the Layout tab, in the Labels group, click Legend.

3. Do one of the following:
   • To hide the legend, click None.

Tip  To quickly remove a legend or a legend entry from a chart, you can select it, and then press DELETE. You can also right-click the legend or a legend entry, and then click Delete.

• To display a legend, click the display option that you want.

 Note    When you click one of the display options, the legend moves, and the plot area (plot area: In a 2-D chart, the area bounded by the axes, including all data series. In a 3-D chart, the area bounded by the axes, including the data series, category names, tick-mark labels, and axis titles.) automatically adjusts to make room for it. If you move and size the legend by using the mouse, the plot area does not automatically adjust.

• For additional options, click More Legend Options, and then select the display option that you want.

Tip  By default, a legend does not overlap the chart. If you have space constraints, you might be able to reduce the size of the chart by clearing the Show the legend without overlapping the chart check box.

Tip  When a chart has a legend displayed, you can modify the individual legend entries. For more information, see Modify chart legend entries.

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Step 5: Display or hide chart axes or gridlines

When you create a chart, primary axes (axis: A line bordering the chart plot area used as a frame of reference for measurement. The y axis is usually the vertical axis and contains data. The x-axis is usually the horizontal axis and contains categories.) are displayed for most chart types. You can turn them on or off as needed. When you add axes, you can specify the level of detail that you want the axes to display. A depth axis is displayed when you create a 3-D chart.

When the values in a chart vary widely from data series (data series: Related data points that are plotted in a chart. Each data series in a chart has a unique color or pattern and is represented in the chart legend. You can plot one or more data series in a chart. Pie charts have only one data series.) to data series, or when you have mixed types of data (for example, price and volume), you can plot one or more data series on a secondary vertical (value) axis. The scale of the secondary vertical axis reflects the values for the associated data series. After you add a secondary vertical axis to a chart, you can also add a secondary horizontal (category) axis, which might be useful in an xy (scatter) chart or bubble chart.

To make a chart easier to read, you can display or hide the horizontal and vertical chart gridlines that extend from any horizontal and vertical axes across the plot area (plot area: In a 2-D chart, the area bounded by the axes, including all data series. In a 3-D chart, the area bounded by the axes, including the data series, category names, tick-mark labels, and axis titles.) of the chart.

Display or hide primary axes

1. Click the chart for which you want to display or hide axes.

This displays the Chart Tools, adding the Design, Layout, and Format tabs.

2. On the Layout tab, in the Axes group, click Axes, and then do one of the following:
   • To display an axis, click Primary Horizontal Axis, Primary Vertical Axis, or Depth Axis (on a 3-D chart), and then click the axis display option that you want.
   • To hide an axis, click Primary Horizontal Axis, Primary Vertical Axis, or Depth Axis (on a 3-D chart), and then click None.
   • To specify detailed axis display and scaling options, click Primary Horizontal Axis, Primary Vertical Axis, or Depth Axis (on a 3-D chart), and then click More Primary Horizontal Axis Options, More Primary Vertical Axis Options, or More Depth Axis Options.

For more information about how to change axis display options and scaling, see the following articles.

• Change the display of chart axes
• Change the scale of the horizontal (category) axis in a chart
• Change the scale of the vertical (value) axis in a chart
• Change the scale of the depth (series) axis in a chart

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Display or hide secondary axes

1. In a chart, click the data series that you want to plot along a secondary vertical axis, or do the following to select the data series from a list of chart elements:
   1. Click the chart.

This displays the Chart Tools, adding the Design, Layout, and Format tabs.

2. On the Format tab, in the Current Selection group, click the arrow next to the Chart Elements box, and then click the data series that you want to plot along a secondary vertical axis.

2. On the Format tab, in the Current Selection group, click Format Selection.
3. Click Series Options if it is not selected, and then under Plot Series On, click Secondary Axis and then click Close.
4. On the Layout tab, in the Axes group, click Axes.

5. Do one of the following:
   1. To display a secondary vertical axis, click Secondary Vertical Axis, and then click the display option that you want.

Tip  To help distinguish the secondary vertical axis, you can change the chart type for just one data series. For example, you can change one data series to a line chart.

6. To display a secondary horizontal axis, click Secondary Horizontal Axis, and then click the display option that you want.

 Note    This option is available only after you display a secondary vertical axis.

7. To hide a secondary axis, click Secondary Vertical Axis or Secondary Horizontal Axis, and then click None.

Tip  You can also click the secondary axis that you want to delete, and then press DELETE.

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Display or hide gridlines

1. Click the chart to which you want to add chart gridlines.

This displays the Chart Tools, adding the Design, Layout, and Format tabs.

2. On the Layout tab, in the Axes group, click Gridlines.

3. Do the following:
   • To add horizontal gridlines to the chart, point to Primary Horizontal Gridlines, and then click the option that you want. If the chart has a secondary horizontal axis, you can also click Secondary Horizontal Gridlines.
   • To add vertical gridlines to the chart, point to Primary Vertical Gridlines, and then click the option that you want. If the chart has a secondary vertical axis, you can also click Secondary Vertical Gridlines.
   • To add depth gridlines to a 3-D chart, point to Depth Gridlines, and then click the option that you want. This option is only available when the selected chart is a true 3-D chart, such as a 3-D column chart.
   • To hide chart gridlines, point to Primary Horizontal Gridlines, Primary Vertical Gridlines, or Depth Gridlines (on a 3-D chart), and then click None. If the chart has a secondary axes, you can also click Secondary Horizontal Gridlines or Secondary Vertical Gridlines, and then click None.
   • To quickly remove chart gridlines, select them, and then press DELETE.

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Step 6: Move or resize a chart

You can move a chart to any location on a worksheet (worksheet: The primary document that you use in Excel to store and work with data. Also called a spreadsheet. A worksheet consists of cells that are organized into columns and rows; a worksheet is always stored in a workbook.) or to a new or existing worksheet. You can also change the size of the chart for a better fit.

Move a chart

• To move a chart, drag it to the location that you want.

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Resize a chart

To resize a chart, do one of the following:

• Click the chart, and then drag the sizing handles to the size that you want.
• On the Format tab, in the Size group, enter the size in the Shape Height and Shape Width box.

Tip  For more sizing options, on the Format tab, in the Size group, click the Dialog Box Launcher . In the Size and Properties dialog box, on the Size tab, you can select options to size, rotate, or scale the chart. On the Properties tab, you can specify how you want the chart to move or size with the cells on the worksheet.

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Step 7: Save a chart as a template

If you want to create another chart like the one that you just created, you can save the chart as a template that you can use as the basis for other similar charts.

1. Click the chart that you want to save as a template.
2. On the Design tab, in the Type group, click Save as Template.

3. In the File name box, type a name for the template.

Tip  Unless you specify a different folder, the template file (.crtx) will be saved in the Charts folder, and the template becomes available under Templates in both the Insert Chart dialog box (Insert tab, Charts group, Dialog Box Launcher ) and the Change Chart Type dialog box (Design tab, Type group, Change Chart Type).

For more information about how to apply a chart template, see Reuse a favorite chart by using a chart template.

 Note    A chart template contains chart formatting and stores the colors that are in use when you save the chart as a template. When you use a chart template to create a chart in another workbook, the new chart uses the colors of the chart template — not the colors of the document theme that is currently applied to the workbook. To use the document theme colors instead of the chart template colors, right-click the chart area (chart area: The entire chart and all its elements.), and then click Reset to Match Style on the shortcut menu.

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See Also

• Add or remove series lines, drop lines, high-low lines, or up-down bars in a chart
• Add, change, or remove a trendline in a chart
• Add, change, or remove error bars in a chart
• Display hidden data and empty cells in a chart
• Present your data in a combination chart
• Print a chart

Excel > Charts > Creating charts

Change the chart type of an existing chart

Excel 2007

For most 2-D charts, you can change the chart type of the whole chart to give the chart a different look, or you can select a different chart type for any single data series (data series: Related data points that are plotted in a chart. Each data series in a chart has a unique color or pattern and is represented in the chart legend. You can plot one or more data series in a chart. Pie charts have only one data series.), which turns the chart into a combination chart.

For bubble charts and most 3-D charts, you can only change the chart type of the whole chart.

Important  To complete this procedure, you must have an existing chart. For more information about how to create a chart, see Create a chart.

1. Do one of the following:
   • To change the chart type of the whole chart, click the chart area (chart area: The entire chart and all its elements.) or plot area (plot area: In a 2-D chart, the area bounded by the axes, including all data series. In a 3-D chart, the area bounded by the axes, including the data series, category names, tick-mark labels, and axis titles.) of the chart to display the chart tools.
   • To change the chart type of a data series, click that data series.

 Note    You can change the chart type of only one data series at a time. To change the chart type of more than one data series in the chart, repeat the steps of this procedure for each data series that you want to change.

2. Tip  This displays the chart tools, adding the Design, Layout, and Format tabs.
3. On the Design tab, in the Type group, click Change Chart Type.

4. In the Change Chart Type dialog box, do one of the following:
   • Click a chart type in the first box, and then click the chart subtype that you want to use in the second box.

For more information about the chart types that you can use, see Available chart types.

• If you saved a chart type as a template, click Templates, and then click the chart template that you want to use in the second box.

Tip  If you use a specific chart type frequently when you create a chart, you may want to set that chart type as the default chart type. After you select the chart type and the chart subtype in the Change Chart Type dialog box, click Set as Default Chart.

See Also

• Add or remove a secondary axis in a chart
• Plot data series on a different axis
• Present your data in a combination chart
• Rename a chart

Excel > Charts > Creating charts

Copy a chart

Excel 2007

In Microsoft Office Excel, you can copy an existing chart to another worksheet or chart sheet, a different workbook, or to another location on the same worksheet. To copy a chart in the same worksheet, you can drag the chart by using the mouse.

You can also copy an Excel chart to other Microsoft Office programs, such as PowerPoint and Word. If needed, you can copy a static picture of a chart to another workbook location or to a document that you created by using another program.

In this article

Copy a chart to another workbook location

Copy a chart by using the mouse

Copy a chart to a PowerPoint presentation

Copy a chart to a Word document

Copy a picture of a chart to another workbook location or document

Copy a chart to another workbook location

1. In Excel, select the chart that you want to copy.
2. On the Home tab, in the Clipboard group, click Copy .

Keyboard shortcut  You can also press CTRL+C.

3. Click the worksheet where you want to paste the copied chart.

Tip  To paste the copied chart in another workbook, open that workbook, and then click the worksheet or chart sheet where you want to paste the copied chart.

4. On the Home tab, in the Clipboard group, click Paste.

Keyboard shortcut  You can also press CTRL+V.

5. If you paste a chart on a worksheet, click Paste Options next to the chart, and then do one of the following:
   • To paste the chart in its original format, click Keep Source Formatting.
   • To paste the chart and format it by using the document theme that is applied to the presentation, click Use Destination Theme.

 Note    If you copied a chart from another program, different paste options will be available on the worksheet, depending on the program that you copied from.

Tip  You can also paste a copied chart as a static picture in PNG format (.png). On the Home tab, in the Clipboard group, click the arrow below Paste, click As Picture, and then click Paste as Picture. A chart that is pasted as a picture does not update when the source data changes. Also, a chart that is pasted as a picture might have a reduced print quality.

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Copy a chart by using the mouse

1. Right-click the chart that you want to copy, and then drag it to the location that you want.
2. After you release the mouse, click Copy Here.

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Copy a chart to a PowerPoint presentation

1. In Excel, select the chart that you want to copy to a PowerPoint presentation.
2. On the Home tab, in the Clipboard group, click Copy .

Keyboard shortcut  You can also press CTRL+C.

3. Click in the PowerPoint presentation where you want to paste the copied chart.
4. On the Home tab, in the Clipboard group, click Paste.

Keyboard shortcut  You can also press CTRL+V.

5. Click Paste Options next to the chart, and then do one of the following:
   • To paste the chart with a link to its source data, click Chart (linked to Excel data).
   • To paste the chart and to include access to the whole workbook in the presentation, click Excel Chart (entire workbook).
   • To paste the chart as a static picture, click Paste as Picture.
   • To paste the chart in its original format, click Keep Source Formatting.
   • To paste the chart and format it by using the document theme that is applied to the presentation, click Use Destination Theme.

Tips

• To paste a chart in another format, click the arrow on the Paste button, and then click Paste Special. In the As list, select the format that you want to use.
  • To paste a chart as a static picture, click any Picture or Bitmap option. Picture format generally provides better display quality than Bitmap format.
  • Click Microsoft Office Graphic Object to paste a chart as a graphic object that can be edited by using the chart tools in PowerPoint. This option is not available when you are using Compatibility Mode in PowerPoint.
  • Click Microsoft Office Excel Chart Object, and then click Paste link to paste a chart as an embedded object (embedded object: Information (object) contained in a source file and inserted into a destination file. Once embedded, the object becomes part of the destination file. Changes you make to the embedded object are reflected in the destination file.) that is linked to the source data of the original Excel chart so that it is updated when the chart data changes. Microsoft Office Excel Chart Object is not available when you are using Compatibility Mode in PowerPoint.
  • To paste the chart as an Object Linking and Embedding (OLE) (OLE: A program-integration technology that you can use to share information between programs. All Office programs support OLE, so you can share information through linked and embedded objects.) PowerPoint program icon (instead of pasting the actual chart) into a presentation, click Microsoft Office Excel Chart Object, and then select the Display as icon check box. You can click the icon to open the application, and then view the chart. Microsoft Office Excel Chart Object is not available when you are using Compatibility Mode in PowerPoint.
• You can also create a Microsoft Office Excel 2007 chart directly in Microsoft Office PowerPoint 2007 by clicking the Chart button on the Ribbon (Insert tab, Illustrations group), and then by using the chart tools to modify or format the chart. Charts that you create in PowerPoint will be embedded in the PowerPoint presentation, and their source data is stored in an Excel worksheet that is incorporated in the PowerPoint file.

 Note    The Ribbon is a component of the Microsoft Office Fluent user interface.

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Copy a chart to a Word document

1. In Excel, select the chart that you want to copy to a Word document.
2. On the Home tab, in the Clipboard group, click Copy .

Keyboard shortcut  You can also press CTRL+C.

3. In the Word document, click where you want to paste the copied chart.
4. On the Home tab, in the Clipboard group, click Paste.

Keyboard shortcut  You can also press CTRL+V.

5. Click Paste Options next to the chart, and then do one of the following:
   • To paste the chart with a link to its source data, click Chart (linked to Excel data).
   • To paste the chart and to include access to the whole workbook in the document, click Excel Chart (entire workbook).
   • To paste the chart as a static picture, click Paste as Picture.
   • To paste the chart in its original format, click Keep Source Formatting.
   • To paste the chart and format it by using the document theme that is applied to the document, click Use Destination Theme.

 Note    The Paste Options button is not available when you paste a chart in a document that is opened in Compatibility Mode in Word. In Compatibility Mode, the chart is pasted as a static picture.

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Copy a picture of a chart to another workbook location or document

1. In Excel, select the chart that you want to copy as a picture.
2. On the Home tab, in the Clipboard group, click the arrow below Paste, click As Picture, and then click Copy as Picture.

3. In the Copy Picture dialog box, do the following:
   • Under Appearance, click the option that you want to use.
   • Under Format, click the option that you want to use.

Tip  For the best picture quality, make sure that the As shown on screen and Picture options are selected. However, to preserve picture quality, items that you copy by using the As shown on screen and Picture options are always pasted at 100% of their original size. For example, if you scale a worksheet at 75%, a copied item from that worksheet may appear larger because it is pasted at actual size.

4. Click OK.
5. On a worksheet or chart sheet, click where you want to paste the picture.

Tip  To paste the picture in a document of another program, open that document, and then use the Paste commands that are available in that program.

6. On the Home tab, in the Clipboard group, click Paste .

Keyboard shortcut  You can also press CTRL+V.

7. If you want to format the picture, do the following:
   • Select the picture.

Tip  This displays the Picture Tools, adding the Format tab.

• On the Format tab, in the Adjust group, Picture Style group, Arrange group, or Size group, and then click the formatting options that you want.

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See Also

• Create a chart

Excel > Charts > Creating charts

Reuse a favorite chart by using a chart template

Excel 2007

To reuse a favorite chart that you customized to meet your needs, you can save that chart as a chart template (*.crtx) in the charts template folder. A chart template that you create is in reality a custom chart type that you can apply like any other chart type.

Instead of re-creating the chart, you can apply the chart template to the worksheet data when you create a new chart. You can also change the chart type of an existing chart by applying a chart template.

If you no longer need a specific chart template, you can remove it from the charts template folder or you can delete it from your computer.

What do you want to do?

Save a chart as a chart template

Apply a chart template

Remove or delete a chart template

Save a chart as a chart template

1. Click the chart that you want to save as a template.

Tip  This displays the Chart Tools, adding the Design, Layout, and Format tabs.

2. On the Design tab, in the Type group, click Save As Template.

3. In the Save in box, make sure that the Charts folder is selected.

 Note    The Charts folder is typically selected by default. Chart templates that you save in this folder will automatically be added to the Templates folder in the Insert Chart and Change Chart Type dialog box so that you can select it when you create or update a chart.

4. In the File name box, type an appropriate name for the chart template.

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Apply a chart template

You can apply a chart template when you create a new chart, or you can change the chart type of an existing chart to chart template.

Apply a chart template to a new chart

1. On a worksheet, select the data that you want to plot in the chart.
2. On the Insert tab, in the Charts group, click any chart type, and then click All Chart Types.

Tip  You can also click the Dialog Box Launcher next to Charts in the Charts group on the Insert tab.

3. In the Insert Chart dialog box, click Templates in the first box, and then click the template that you want to use in the second box under My Templates.

 Note    If a chart template is located in a folder other than the Charts folder, click Manage Templates, locate the chart template, and then copy or move it to the Charts folder under Templates.

Apply a chart template to an existing chart

1. Click the chart area (chart area: The entire chart and all its elements.) of the chart to which you want to apply the chart template.
2. On the Design tab, in the Type group, click Change Chart Type.

3. In the Change Chart Type dialog box, click Templates in the first box, and then click the template that you want to use in the second box under My Templates.

 Note    If a chart template is located in a folder other than the Charts folder, click Manage Templates, locate the chart template, and then copy or move it to the Charts folder under Templates.

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Remove or delete a chart template

1. On the Insert tab, in the Charts group, click any chart type, and then click All Chart Types.

Tip  You can also click the Dialog Box Launcher next to Charts in the Charts group on the Insert tab.

2. Click Manage Templates.
3. Do one of the following:
   • To remove the chart template from the Charts folder, drag it to the folder where you want to store it.
   • To delete the chart template from your computer, right-click it, and then click Delete.

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See Also

• Create a chart
• Create and use an Excel template
• Rename a chart

Excel > Charts > Creating charts

Display hidden data and empty cells in a chart

By default, data that is hidden in rows and columns in the worksheet is not displayed in a chart, and empty cells are displayed as gaps. You can, however, display the hidden data and change the way that the empty cells are displayed. Rather then displaying gaps, you can display empty cells as zero values, or you can span the gaps with a line.

1. Click a chart in which you want to display hidden data and empty cells.

Tip  This displays the Chart Tools, adding the Design, Layout, and Format tabs.

2. On the Design tab, in the Data group, click Select Data.

3. Click Hidden and Empty Cells, and then do one of the following:
   • To define how empty cells are displayed in the chart, click Gaps, Zero, or Connect data points with line.
   • To display hidden cells in the chart, select the Show data in hidden rows and columns check box.

See Also

• Change the plotting order of categories, values, or data series
• Create a chart
• Plot data series on a different axis

Excel > Charts > Creating charts

Plot data series on a different axis

Excel 2007

When you create a chart, Microsoft Office Excel determines the axis on which the data series (data series: Related data points that are plotted in a chart. Each data series in a chart has a unique color or pattern and is represented in the chart legend. You can plot one or more data series in a chart. Pie charts have only one data series.) are plotted, based on the number of worksheet (worksheet: The primary document that you use in Excel to store and work with data. Also called a spreadsheet. A worksheet consists of cells that are organized into columns and rows; a worksheet is always stored in a workbook.) rows and columns that are included in the chart. However, after you create a chart, you can change the way that worksheet rows and columns are plotted in the chart by switching rows to columns or vice versa.

For example, when you create a chart from two rows and two columns of worksheet data, Excel plots the rows of data on the vertical (value) axis), and the columns of data on the horizontal (category) axis. When you reverse this by switching rows to columns, the columns of data will be plotted on the vertical axis, and the rows of data will be plotted on the horizontal axis instead.

Important  To complete this procedure, you must have an existing chart. For more information about how to create a chart, see Create a chart.

1. Click the chart that contains the data that you want to plot differently.

Tip  This displays the Chart Tools, adding the Design, Layout, and Format tabs.

2. On the Design tab, in the Data group, click Switch Row/Column.

See Also

• Add or remove a secondary axis in a chart
• Change the display of chart axes
• Change the plotting order of categories, values, or data series
• Display hidden data and empty cells in a chart
• Display or hide chart gridlines
• Rearrange (transpose) data from columns to rows or vice versa
• Show or hide a chart legend or data table
• Update the data in an existing chart
• Use titles on a chart

Excel > Charts > Creating charts

Present your data in an area chart

Excel 2007

Area charts are much like line charts, but they display different colors in the areas below the lines. This colorful and visual display distinguishes the data more clearly. Unfortunately, data series (data series: Related data points that are plotted in a chart. Each data series in a chart has a unique color or pattern and is represented in the chart legend. You can plot one or more data series in a chart. Pie charts have only one data series.) with smaller values that are plotted in the back of an area chart may be completely or partially hidden behind data series with larger values that are plotted in front of them. However, in Microsoft Office Excel 2007, you can use transparency to show the entire outline of smaller data series through any larger data series in front.

In this article

Learn more about plotting data in an area chart

Create an area chart that uses transparency

Save a chart as a template

Learn more about plotting data in an area chart

Data that is arranged in columns or rows on a worksheet can be plotted in an area chart. Area charts emphasize the magnitude of change over time and can be used to draw attention to the total value across a trend. For example, data that represents profit over time can be plotted in an area chart to emphasize the total profit.

A stacked area chart also shows the relationship of parts to a whole.

Area charts include the following chart subtypes:

• 2-D area and 3-D area  Whether they are shown in 2-D or in 3-D, area charts display the trend of values over time or other category data.3-D area charts use three axes (horizontal, vertical, and depth) that you can modify. As a general rule, you should consider using a line chart instead of a nonstacked area chart, because data from one series can be obscured by data from another series.

• Stacked area and stacked area in 3-D  Stacked area charts display the trend of the contribution of each value over time or other category data. A stacked area chart in 3-D is displayed in the same way but uses a 3-D perspective. A 3-D perspective is not a true 3-D chart — a third value axis (depth axis) is not used.

• 100% stacked area and 100% stacked area in 3-D  100% stacked area charts display the trend of the percentage that each value contributes over time or other category data. A 100% stacked area chart in 3-D is displayed in the same way but uses a 3-D perspective. A 3-D perspective is not a true 3-D chart — a third value axis (depth axis) is not used.

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Create an area chart that uses transparency

So, how did we create this area chart? The following procedure will help you create an area chart with similar results. For this chart, we used the example worksheet data. You can copy this data to your worksheet, or you can use your own data.

1. Copy the example worksheet data into a blank worksheet, or open the worksheet that contains the data that you want to plot in an area chart.

How to copy the example worksheet data

1. Create a blank workbook or worksheet.
2. Select the example in the Help topic.

 Note    Do not select the row or column headers.

Selecting an example from Help

3. Press CTRL+C.
4. In the worksheet, select cell A1, and press CTRL+V.

2. Select the data that you want to plot in the area chart.
3. On the Insert tab, in the Charts group, click Area.

4. Under 3-D Area, click 3-D Area.
5. Click the chart area (chart area: The entire chart and all its elements.) of the chart.

This displays the Chart Tools, adding the Design, Layout, and Format tabs.

6. On the Design tab, in the Chart Styles group, click the chart style that you want to use.

Tip  For our area chart, we used Style 2.

7. In the chart, click the legend, and then press DELETE.
8. To change the size of the chart, on the Format tab, in the Size group, select the shape size that you want in the Shape Height and Shape Width boxes, and then press ENTER.

Tip  For our area chart, we used 3.5" for the shape height and 4" for the shape width.

9. To add, format, and position a chart title in the chart, click the chart area (chart area: The entire chart and all its elements.), and then do the following:
   1. On the Layout tab, in the Labels group, click Chart Title, and then click Above Chart.

2. In the chart, click the chart title, and then type the text that you want.

Tip  For our area chart, we typed Regional Sales.

3. To reduce the size of the chart title, right-click the title, and then enter the size that you want in the Font size box.

Tip  For our area chart, we used 14.

10. Click the vertical axis, or select it from a list of chart elements (Layout tab, Current Selection group, Chart Elements box).
11. On the Format tab, in the Current Selection group, click Format Selection.
12. Under Axis Options, in the Display Units box, click Thousands.

Tip  You do not need to click Close. You can leave the dialog box open and continue with the next step.

13. In the chart, click the first data series (data series: Related data points that are plotted in a chart. Each data series in a chart has a unique color or pattern and is represented in the chart legend. You can plot one or more data series in a chart. Pie charts have only one data series.), or select it from a list of chart elements (Layout tab, Current Selection group, Chart Elements box).
14. In the Format Data Series dialog box, click Fill.
15. Under Fill, click Solid Fill, and then do the following:
    1. In the Color palette, click the color that you want to use for the selected data series.
    2. Drag the Transparency slider to the percentage of transparency that you want to use, or type the percentage in the Transparency box.

Tip  For our area chart, we used 33%.

16. In the chart, click the second data series (data series: Related data points that are plotted in a chart. Each data series in a chart has a unique color or pattern and is represented in the chart legend. You can plot one or more data series in a chart. Pie charts have only one data series.), or select it from a list of chart elements, and then repeat steps 14 and 15.
17. Click Close.
18. To use theme colors that are different from the default theme that is applied to your workbook, do the following:
    1. On the Page Layout tab, in the Themes group, click Themes.

2. Under Built-in, click the theme that you want to use.

Tip  For our area chart, we used the Office theme.

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Save a chart as a template

If you want to create another chart like the one that you just created, you can save the chart as a template that you can use as the basis for other similar charts.

1. Click the chart that you want to save as a template.
2. On the Design tab, in the Type group, click Save as Template.

3. In the File name box, type a name for the template.

Tip  Unless you specify a different folder, the template file (.crtx) will be saved in the Charts folder, and the template becomes available under Templates in both the Insert Chart dialog box (Insert tab, Charts group, Dialog Box Launcher ) and the Change Chart Type dialog box (Design tab, Type group, Change Chart Type).

For more information about how to apply a chart template, see Reuse a favorite chart by using a chart template.

 Note    A chart template contains chart formatting and stores the colors that are in use when you save the chart as a template. When you use a chart template to create a chart in another workbook, the new chart uses the colors of the chart template — not the colors of the document theme that is currently applied to the workbook. To use the document theme colors instead of the chart template colors, right-click the chart area (chart area: The entire chart and all its elements.), and then click Reset to Match Style on the shortcut menu.

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See Also

• Available chart types
• Change the layout or style of a chart
• Change the shape fill, outline, or effects of chart elements
• Create a chart
• Format chart elements
• Print a chart

Excel > Charts > Creating charts

Present your data in a bar chart

Excel 2007

Tags  bar; bar chart; chart; chart template; display data; graph; present data

What are tags?

Using Microsoft Office Excel 2007, you can create a bar chart and give it a brand-new, appealing look. Much like a column chart, a bar chart is useful for comparing data points (data points: Individual values plotted in a chart and represented by bars, columns, lines, pie or doughnut slices, dots, and various other shapes called data markers. Data markers of the same color constitute a data series.) in one or more data series (data series: Related data points that are plotted in a chart. Each data series in a chart has a unique color or pattern and is represented in the chart legend. You can plot one or more data series in a chart. Pie charts have only one data series.).

After you create a bar chart, you can change the spacing between the bars. You can also use a bar chart type to simulate a Gantt chart, a horizontal bar chart that is often used in project management programs.

In this article

Learn more about plotting data in a bar chart

Create an elaborate bar chart

Change the spacing between the bars

Simulate a Gantt chart

Save a chart as a template

Learn more about plotting data in a bar chart

Bar charts illustrate comparisons among individual items.

In bar charts, categories are organized along the vertical axis and values along the horizontal axis.

Consider using a bar chart when:

• You have one or more data series that you want to plot.
• Your data contains positive, negative, and zero (0) values.
• You want to compare the data for numerous categories.
• The axis labels are long.
• The values that are shown are durations.

When you create a bar chart, you can choose one of the following bar chart subtypes:

• Clustered bar and clustered bar in 3-D  Clustered bar charts compare values across categories. In a clustered bar chart, the categories are typically organized along the vertical axis, and the values along the horizontal axis. A clustered bar in 3-D chart displays the horizontal rectangles in 3-D format; it does not display the data on three axes.

• Stacked bar and stacked bar in 3-D  Stacked bar charts show the relationship of individual items to the whole. A stacked bar in 3-D chart displays the horizontal rectangles in 3-D format; it does not display the data on three axes.

• 100% stacked bar and 100% stacked bar in 3-D  This type of chart compares the percentage that each value contributes to a total across categories. A 100% stacked bar in 3-D chart displays the horizontal rectangles in 3-D format; it does not display the data on three axes.

• Horizontal cylinder, cone, and pyramid  These charts are available in the same clustered, stacked, and 100% stacked chart types that are provided for rectangular bar charts. They show and compare data exactly the same way. The only difference is that these chart types display cylinder, cone, and pyramid shapes instead of horizontal rectangles.

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Create an elaborate bar chart

So, how did we create this bar chart? The following procedure will help you create a bar chart with similar results. For this chart, we used the example worksheet data. You can copy this data to your worksheet, or you can use your own data.

1. Copy the example worksheet data into a blank worksheet, or open the worksheet that contains the data that you want to plot into a bar chart.

How to copy the example worksheet data

1. Create a blank workbook or worksheet.
2. Select the example in the Help topic.

 Note    Do not select the row or column headers.

Selecting an example from Help

3. Press CTRL+C.
4. In the worksheet, select cell A1, and press CTRL+V.

2. Select the data that you want to plot in the bar chart.
3. On the Insert tab, in the Charts group, click Bar.

4. Under 2-D Bar, select Clustered Bar.
5. Click the chart area (chart area: The entire chart and all its elements.) of the chart.

This displays the Chart Tools, adding the Design, Layout, and Format tabs.

6. On the Design tab, in the Chart Styles group, click the chart style that you want to use.

Tip  For our bar chart, we used Style 4.

7. In the chart, click the legend, and then press DELETE.
8. To reduce the size of the chart title, right-click the title, and then select the size that you want in the Size box.

Tip  For our bar chart, we used 12.

9. To reduce the size of the axis labels, right-click the vertical (category) axis, and then select the size that you want in the Size box.

Tip  For our bar chart, we used 8.

10. Click the plot area (plot area: In a 2-D chart, the area bounded by the axes, including all data series. In a 3-D chart, the area bounded by the axes, including the data series, category names, tick-mark labels, and axis titles.) of the chart, or select it from a list of chart elements (Layout tab, Current Selection group, Chart Elements box).
11. On the Format tab, in the Shape Styles group, click the More button , and then click the effect that you want to use.

Tip  For our bar chart, we used the Subtle Effect - Accent 1.

12. Click a data point (data points: Individual values plotted in a chart and represented by bars, columns, lines, pie or doughnut slices, dots, and various other shapes called data markers. Data markers of the same color constitute a data series.) to select all of the bars, or select the data series (data series: Related data points that are plotted in a chart. Each data series in a chart has a unique color or pattern and is represented in the chart legend. You can plot one or more data series in a chart. Pie charts have only one data series.) from a list of chart elements (Layout tab, Current Selection group, Chart Elements box).
13. On the Format tab, in the Shape Styles group, click the More button , and then click the effect that you want to use.

Tip  For our bar chart, we used the Subtle Effect - Accent 2.

14. On the Format tab, in the Shape Styles group, click Shape Effects.
15. Click Glow, and then under Glow Variations, click the glow effect that you want.

Tip  For our bar chart, we used the Accent color 2, 8 pt glow.

16. Click the chart area of the chart.
17. On the Format tab, in the Shape Styles group, click the More button , and then click the effect that you want to use.

Tip  For our bar chart, we used the Colored Outline - Accent 1.

18. To change the size of the chart, on the Format tab, in the Size group, select the shape size that you want in the Shape Height box, and then press ENTER.

Tip  For our bar chart, we used 4".

19. If you want to use theme colors that are different from the default theme that is applied to your workbook, do the following:
    1. On the Page Layout tab, in the Themes group, click Themes.

2. Under Built-in, click the theme that you want to use.

Tip  For our bar chart, we used the Solstice theme.

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Change the spacing between the bars

You can enlarge or reduce the space between the bars in a bar chart. In a 2-D bar chart, the bars can even overlap each other.

1. In a chart, click the data series (data series: Related data points that are plotted in a chart. Each data series in a chart has a unique color or pattern and is represented in the chart legend. You can plot one or more data series in a chart. Pie charts have only one data series.) that you want to change, or do the following to select the data series from a list of chart elements:
   1. Click the chart.

This displays the Chart Tools, adding the Design, Layout, and Format tabs.

2. On the Format tab, in the Current Selection group, click the arrow next to the Chart Elements box, and then click the data series.

2. Tip  You need to select only a single data series to change the spacing of all data series of the same chart type.
3. On the Format tab, in the Current Selection group, click Format Selection.
4. Under Series Options, do one of the following:
   1. To change the overlap of bars in a 2-D bar chart, drag the slider to the percentage of series overlap that you want, or enter a percentage between -100 and 100 in the Series Overlap box.

Tip  The higher the value, the greater the overlap within the category.

2. To change the spacing between categories of data markers in a 2-D or 3-D bar chart, drag the slider to the percentage of gap width that you want, or enter a value between 0 (zero) and 500 in the Gap Width box.

Tip  The higher the value, the greater the spacing between the bars.

3. To change the spacing between the data series in a 3-D bar chart, enter a value between 0 and 500 in the Gap Depth box.

Tip  The higher the value, the greater the distance between the bars.

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Simulate a Gantt chart

Even though Excel does not provide a Gantt chart type, you can simulate a Gantt chart by customizing the stacked bar chart type so that it depicts tasks, task duration, and hierarchy.

The following procedure will help you create a Gantt chart with results that are similar to those shown in the preceding graphic. For this chart, we used the example worksheet data. You can copy this data to your worksheet, or you can use your own data, as long as you use the same column headers and worksheet structure.

1. Copy the example worksheet data into a blank worksheet, or open the worksheet that contains the data that you want to plot into a Gantt chart.

How to copy the example worksheet data

1. Create a blank workbook or worksheet.
2. Select the example in the Help topic.

 Note    Do not select the row or column headers.

Selecting an example from Help

3. Press CTRL+C.
4. In the worksheet, select cell A1, and press CTRL+V.

 Note    The values in columns B and C (Start and Duration) represent the number of days from the start date and the number of days required to complete the task.

2. Select the data that you want to plot in the Gantt chart (A1:C6 in our example worksheet data).
3. On the Insert tab, in the Charts group, click Bar.
4. Under 2-D Bar, click Stacked Bar.
5. In the chart, click the first data series, or select it from a list of chart elements (Format tab, Current Selection group, Chart Elements box).
6. On the Format tab, in the Current Selection group, click Format Selection.

7. Click Fill, and then click No fill.
8. Click Close.
9. On the chart, click the legend, and then press DELETE.
10. Select the vertical (value) axis, or select it from a list of chart elements (Format tab, Current Selection group, Chart Elements box).
11. On the Format tab, in the Current Selection group, click Format Selection.
12. Under Axis Options, select the Categories in reverse order check box.

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Save a chart as a template

If you want to create another chart like the one that you just created, you can save the chart as a template that you can use as the basis for other similar charts.

1. Click the chart that you want to save as a template.
2. On the Design tab, in the Type group, click Save as Template.

3. In the File name box, type a name for the template.

Tip  Unless you specify a different folder, the template file (.crtx) will be saved in the Charts folder, and the template becomes available under Templates in both the Insert Chart dialog box (Insert tab, Charts group, Dialog Box Launcher ) and the Change Chart Type dialog box (Design tab, Type group, Change Chart Type).

For more information about how to apply a chart template, see Reuse a favorite chart by using a chart template.

 Note    A chart template contains chart formatting and stores the colors that are in use when you save the chart as a template. When you use a chart template to create a chart in another workbook, the new chart uses the colors of the chart template — not the colors of the document theme that is currently applied to the workbook. To use the document theme colors instead of the chart template colors, right-click the chart area (chart area: The entire chart and all its elements.), and then click Reset to Match Style on the shortcut menu.

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See Also

• Available chart types
• Change the layout or style of a chart
• Change the shape fill, outline, or effects of chart elements
• Create a chart
• Format chart elements
• Print a chart

Excel > Charts > Creating charts

Present your data in a bubble chart

Excel 2007

A bubble chart is a variation of a scatter chart in which the data points (data points: Individual values plotted in a chart and represented by bars, columns, lines, pie or doughnut slices, dots, and various other shapes called data markers. Data markers of the same color constitute a data series.) are replaced with bubbles, and an additional dimension of the data is represented in the size of the bubbles. Just like a scatter chart, a bubble chart does not use a category axis — both horizontal and vertical axes are value axes. In addition to the x values and y values that are plotted in a scatter chart, a bubble chart plots x values, y values, and z (size) values.

In this article

Learn more about plotting data in a bubble chart

Create an elaborate bubble chart

Save a chart as a template

Learn more about plotting data in a bubble chart

You can use a bubble chart instead of a scatter chart if your data has three data series that each contain a set of values. The sizes of the bubbles are determined by the values in the third data series.

Bubble charts are often used to present financial data. Different bubble sizes are useful to visually emphasize specific values.

To create a bubble chart, arrange your data in rows or columns on a worksheet so that x values are listed in the first row or column and corresponding y values and bubble size (z) values are listed in adjacent rows or columns. For example, organize your worksheet data as shown in the following picture.

In this bubble chart, the number of products is displayed along the horizontal axis, the sales amounts are displayed along the vertical axis, and the market share percentages are represented by the size of the bubbles.

Consider using a bubble chart when your data includes the following:

• Three values per data point  Three values are required for each bubble. These values can be in rows or columns on the worksheet, but they must be in the following order: x value, y value, and then z value.
• Multiple data series  Plotting multiple data series in a bubble chart (multiple bubble series) is similar to plotting multiple data series in a scatter chart (multiple scatter series). Scatter charts use sets of x values and y values, but bubble charts use sets of x values, y values, and z values.

When you create a bubble chart, you can choose one of the following bubble chart subtypes.

• Bubble or bubble with 3-D effect  Both bubble chart types compare sets of three values instead of two. The third value determines the size of the bubble marker. You can choose to display bubbles in 2-D format or with a 3-D effect.

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Create an elaborate bubble chart

So, how did we create this bubble chart? The following procedure will help you create a bubble chart with similar results. For this chart, we used the example worksheet data. You can copy this data to your worksheet, or you can use your own data.

1. Copy the example worksheet data into a blank worksheet, or open the worksheet that contains the data that you want to plot in a bubble chart.

How to copy the example worksheet data

1. Create a blank workbook or worksheet.
2. Select the example in the Help topic.

 Note    Do not select the row or column headers.

Selecting an example from Help

3. Press CTRL+C.
4. In the worksheet, select cell A1, and press CTRL+V.

 Note    Make sure that your worksheet has at least four rows or columns of data. When you create a bubble chart from three or fewer rows or columns of data, the chart does not plot the bubbles correctly.

2. Select the data that you want to plot in the bubble chart.

 Note    It is best not to include row or column headings in the selection. If you select the headings with your data, the chart may produce incorrect results.

3. On the Insert tab, in the Charts group, click Other Charts.

4. Under Bubble, click Bubble with a 3-D Effect.
5. Click the chart area (chart area: The entire chart and all its elements.) of the chart.

This displays the Chart Tools, adding the Design, Layout, and Format tabs.

6. On the Design tab, in the Chart Styles group, click the chart style that you want to use.

Tip  For our bubble chart, we used Style 29.

7. On the chart, click the legend, and then press DELETE.
8. To change the size of the chart, on the Format tab, in the Size group, select the shape size that you want in the Shape Height and Shape Width box, and then press ENTER.

Tip  For our bubble chart, we used 3.5" for both shape height and shape width.

9. To add, format, and position a chart title on the chart, click the chart area (chart area: The entire chart and all its elements.), and then do the following:
   1. On the Layout tab, in the Labels group, click Chart Title, and then click Above Chart.

2. In the chart, click the chart title, and then type the text that you want.

Tip  For our bubble chart, we typed Industry Market Share Study.

3. To reduce the size of the chart title, right-click the title, and then enter the size that you want in the Size box on the shortcut menu.

Tip  For our bubble chart, we used 12.

4. To align the chart title with the plot area (plot area: In a 2-D chart, the area bounded by the axes, including all data series. In a 3-D chart, the area bounded by the axes, including the data series, category names, tick-mark labels, and axis titles.), click the chart title, and then drag it to the position that you want.
10. To add a horizontal axis title, click the chart area of the chart, and then do the following:
    1. On the Layout tab, in the Labels group, click Axis Titles, and then click Primary Horizontal Axis Title, and then click Title Below Axis.
    2. Click the horizontal axis title, type the text that you want, and then press ENTER.

Tip  For our bubble chart, we typed Number of products.

11. Click the vertical axis, or select it from a list of chart elements (Layout tab, Current Selection group, Chart Elements box).
12. On the Format tab, in the Current Selection group, click Format Selection.
13. Under Axis Options, do the following:
    1. For Minimum, select the Fixed option, and then type 0 (zero) in the Fixed box.
    2. For Maximum, select the Fixed option, and then type the number that you want in the Fixed box.

Tip  For our bubble chart, we typed 80000.

14. In the Format Axis dialog box, click Number.
15. Under Number, in the Decimal places box, type 0 (zero), and then click Close.
16. To apply a special formatting effect to the plot area, chart area, chart title, or vertical axis of the chart, click that chart element, or select it from a list of chart elements (Layout tab, Current Selection group, Chart Elements box), and then do the following:
    1. On the Format tab, in the Shape Styles group, click the More button , and then click the effect that you want to use.

Tip  For our bubble chart, we used the Subtle Effect - Accent 4 for the plot area, Intense Effect - Accent 4 for the chart area, Subtle Effect - Accent 4 for the chart title, and Intense Line - Accent 6 for the vertical axis.

17. If you want to use theme colors different from the default theme that is applied to your workbook, do the following:
    1. On the Page Layout tab, in the Themes group, click Themes.

2. Under Built-in, click the theme that you want to use.

Tip  For our bubble chart, we used the Foundry theme.

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Save a chart as a template

If you want to create another chart like the one that you just created, you can save the chart as a template that you can use as the basis for other similar charts.

1. Click the chart that you want to save as a template.
2. On the Design tab, in the Type group, click Save as Template.

3. In the File name box, type a name for the template.

Tip  Unless you specify a different folder, the template file (.crtx) will be saved in the Charts folder, and the template becomes available under Templates in both the Insert Chart dialog box (Insert tab, Charts group, Dialog Box Launcher ) and the Change Chart Type dialog box (Design tab, Type group, Change Chart Type).

For more information about how to apply a chart template, see Reuse a favorite chart by using a chart template.

 Note    A chart template contains chart formatting and stores the colors that are in use when you save the chart as a template. When you use a chart template to create a chart in another workbook, the new chart uses the colors of the chart template — not the colors of the document theme that is currently applied to the workbook. To use the document theme colors instead of the chart template colors, right-click the chart area (chart area: The entire chart and all its elements.), and then click Reset to Match Style on the shortcut menu.

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See Also

• Available chart types
• Change the layout or style of a chart
• Change the shape fill, outline, or effects of chart elements
• Create a chart
• Format chart elements
• Present your data in a scatter chart or a line chart
• Print a chart

Excel > Charts > Creating charts

Present your data in a column chart

Excel 2007

Using Microsoft Office Excel 2007, you can create a column chart and give it a brand new, appealing look. As one of the most common chart types, a column chart is useful to compare data points (data points: Individual values plotted in a chart and represented by bars, columns, lines, pie or doughnut slices, dots, and various other shapes called data markers. Data markers of the same color constitute a data series.) in one or more data series (data series: Related data points that are plotted in a chart. Each data series in a chart has a unique color or pattern and is represented in the chart legend. You can plot one or more data series in a chart. Pie charts have only one data series.).

After you create a column chart, you can change the spacing between the columns. You can also create a floating column chart by hiding a data series in the chart.

In this article

Learn more about plotting data in a column chart

Create an elaborate column chart

Change the spacing between the columns

Simulate a floating column chart

Save a chart as a template

Learn more about plotting data in a column chart

Data that is arranged in columns or rows on a worksheet can be plotted in a column chart. Column charts are useful for showing data changes over a period of time or for illustrating comparisons among items.

In column charts, categories are typically organized along the horizontal axis and values along the vertical axis.

Consider using a column chart when:

• You have one or more data series that you want to plot.
• Your data contains positive, negative, and zero (0) values.
• You want to compare the data for numerous categories side by side.

When you create a column chart, you can choose one of the following column chart subtypes:

• Clustered column and clustered column in 3-D  Clustered column charts compare values across categories. A clustered column chart displays values in 2-D vertical rectangles. A clustered column in 3-D chart displays the data by using a 3-D perspective only. A third value axis (depth axis) is not used.

You can use a clustered column chart type when you have categories that represent:

• Ranges of values (for example, item counts).
• Specific scale arrangements (for example, a Likert scale with entries, such as strongly agree, agree, neutral, disagree, strongly disagree).
• Names that are not in any specific order (for example, item names, geographic names, or the names of people).

 Note    To present data in a 3-D format that uses three axes (a horizontal axis, a vertical axis, and a depth axis) that you can modify, use a 3-D column chart subtype instead.

• Stacked column and stacked column in 3-D  Stacked column charts show the relationship of individual items to the whole, comparing the contribution of each value to a total across categories. A stacked column chart displays values in 2-D vertical stacked rectangles. A 3-D stacked column chart displays the data by using a 3-D perspective only. A third value axis (depth axis) is not used.

You can use a stacked column chart when you have multiple data series and when you want to emphasize the total.

• 100% stacked column and 100% stacked column in 3-D  100% stacked column charts and 100% stacked column in 3-D charts compare the percentage that each value contributes to a total across categories. A 100% stacked column chart displays values in 2-D vertical 100% stacked rectangles. A 3-D 100% stacked column chart displays the data by using a 3-D perspective only. A third value axis (depth axis) is not used.

You can use a 100% stacked column chart when you have three or more data series and you want to emphasize the contributions to the whole, especially if the total is the same for each category.

• 3-D column  3-D column charts use three axes that you can modify (a horizontal axis, a vertical axis, and a depth axis), and they compare data points (data points: Individual values plotted in a chart and represented by bars, columns, lines, pie or doughnut slices, dots, and various other shapes called data markers. Data markers of the same color constitute a data series.) along the horizontal and the depth axes.

You can use a 3-D column chart when you want to compare data across the categories and across the series equally, because this chart type shows categories along both the horizontal axis and the depth axis, while the vertical axis displays the values.

• Cylinder, cone, and pyramid  Cylinder, cone, and pyramid charts are available in the same clustered, stacked, 100% stacked, and 3-D chart types that are provided for rectangular column charts, and they show and compare data exactly the same way. The only difference is that these chart types display cylinder, cone, and pyramid shapes instead of rectangles.

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Create an elaborate column chart

So, how did we create this column chart? The following procedure will help you create a column chart with similar results. For this chart, we used the example worksheet data. You can copy this data to your worksheet, or you can use your own data.

1. Copy the example worksheet data into a blank worksheet, or open the worksheet that contains the data that you want to plot into a column chart.

How to copy the example worksheet data

1. Create a blank workbook or worksheet.
2. Select the example in the Help topic.

 Note    Do not select the row or column headers.

Selecting an example from Help

3. Press CTRL+C.
4. In the worksheet, select cell A1, and press CTRL+V.

 

2. Select the data that you want to plot in the column chart.
3. On the Insert tab, in the Charts group, click Column.

4. Under 3-D Column, select Stacked Column in 3-D.
5. Click the chart area (chart area: The entire chart and all its elements.) of the chart.

This displays the Chart Tools, adding the Design, Layout, and Format tabs.

6. On the Design tab, in the Chart Layouts group, select the layout that you want to use.

Tip  For our column chart, we used Layout 3.

7. On the Design tab, in the Chart Styles group, click the chart style that you want to use.

Tip  For our column chart, we used Style 34.

8. In the chart, click the title, and then type the title text that you want.

Tip  For our column chart, we used the title Regional Sales in North America.

9. In the chart, click the vertical (value) axis, or select it from a list of chart elements (Format tab, Current Selection group, Chart Elements box).
10. On the Format tab, in the Current Selection group, click Format Selection.
11. Under Axis Options, in the Display units box, click Millions, and then click Close.
12. In the chart, click a data series, or select it from a list of chart elements (Format tab, Current Selection group, Chart Elements box).
13. On the Format tab, in the Shape Styles group, click Shape Effects, and then click Bevel.

14. Click 3-D Options, and then under Bevel, click the Top and Bottom bevel options that you want to use.

Tip  For our column chart, we used Soft Round.

15. In the Width and Height boxes for Top and Bottom bevel options, type the point size that you want.

Tip  For our column chart, we used 12 pt for top width, 4 pt for top height, 6 pt for bottom width, and 6 pt for bottom height.

16. Under Surface, click Material, and then click the material option that you want to use.

Tip  For our column chart, we used Plastic.

17. In the chart, click another data series, and then repeat steps 16 through 18.
18. Keep the last data series selected and the dialog box open after you have formatted all data series, and then click Series Options in the Format Data Series dialog box.
19. Under Gap Width, drag the slider to the gap width that you want.

Tip  For our column chart, we dragged the slider to No Gap (0%).

20. Keep the dialog box open, and then click the chart area of the chart.
21. In the dialog box, click Border Styles, and then select the Rounded corners check box.
22. If you want to use theme colors that are different from the default theme that is applied to your workbook, do the following:
    1. On the Page Layout tab, in the Themes group, click Themes.

2. Under Built-in, click the theme that you want to use.

Tip  For our column chart, we used the Median theme.

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Change the spacing between the columns

You can enlarge or reduce the space between the data markers (data marker: A bar, area, dot, slice, or other symbol in a chart that represents a single data point or value that originates from a worksheet cell. Related data markers in a chart constitute a data series.) or columns in a column chart. In a 2-D column chart, the columns can even overlap each other.

1. In a chart, click the data series (data series: Related data points that are plotted in a chart. Each data series in a chart has a unique color or pattern and is represented in the chart legend. You can plot one or more data series in a chart. Pie charts have only one data series.) that you want to change, or do the following to select the data series from a list of chart elements:
   1. Click the chart.

This displays the Chart Tools, adding the Design, Layout, and Format tabs.

2. On the Format tab, in the Current Selection group, click the arrow next to the Chart Elements box, and then click the data series.

2. Tip  You need to select only a single data series to change the spacing of all data series of the same chart type.
3. On the Format tab, in the Current Selection group, click Format Selection.
4. Under Series Options, do one of the following:
   1. To change the overlap of columns in a 2-D column chart, drag the slider to the percentage of series overlap that you want, or enter a percentage between -100 and 100 in the Series Overlap box.

Tip  The higher the value, the greater the overlap within the category.

2. To change the spacing between categories of data markers in a 2-D or 3-D column chart, drag the slider to the percentage of gap width that you want, or enter a value between 0 (zero) and 500 in the Gap Width box.

Tip  The higher the value, the greater the spacing between the columns.

3. To change the spacing between the data series in a 3-D column chart, enter a value between 0 (zero) and 500 in the Gap Depth box.