Change a chart

After you create a chart, you can customize it to best present your data. You can format individual chart elements, such as the title, chart areaThe entire chart and all its elements., plot areaIn a 2-D chart, the area bounded by the axes and including all data series. In a 3-D chart, the area bounded by the axes and including data series, category names, tick-mark labels, and axis titles., data seriesA group of related data points plotted in a chart that originate from rows or columns on a single sheet. Each data series in a chart has a unique color or pattern. You can plot one or more data series in a chart. Pie charts have only one data series., axesTypically, a line that borders one side of the plot area in a chart, providing a frame of reference for measurement or comparison. For most charts, category labels are plotted along the category axis, which is usually horizontal (x), and data values are plotted along the value axis, which is usually vertical (y). If the data that you want to use for a chart doesn't include data labels, Excel uses numbers (starting at 1) to label the rows or columns for you. Time in days, months, or years is plotted on a time-scale axis. When you rest the pointer over an axis, Excel displays the axis type., and more.

Important

You must have Excel installed to create or change a chart. You can order a copy of Excel on the Microsoft Web siteClick this link to open a browser window..

An Office chart with callouts

Callout 1 Chart title

Callout 2 Plot area

Callout 3 Legend

Callout 4 Axis titles

Callout 5 Axis labels

Callout 6 Tick marks

Callout 7 Gridlines

Do any of the following:

Add a chart title

Add an axis title

Add or change the position of horizontal or vertical axis labels

Change the scale of an axis

Customize a legend

Add data labels

Add tick marks on an axis

Add gridlines

Format gridlines