Insert and edit charts in Excel

Create a chart in Excel

1. To insert a chart in Excel, you first need to select the range you want to visualize. Select the cells that contain the content you want to create a chart of.
2. Click on the Insert tab in the menu.
3. There are several types of charts to choose from. By clicking on Recommended charts under the Charts section, you can preview the options.
4. Scroll down the list of chart types to preview additional suggestions.
5. You can also switch from the Recommended charts tab to the All charts tab. These tabs are located just above the list of charts.
6. All different chart types are listed on the left. You will not automatically see a preview of them like in Recommended charts, instead, you will see the name of the charts. Click on the chart type to see a visualization of it.
7. In this example, click again on the Recommended charts tab above the list of chart types.
8. Select the chart that suits your needs and click on the Ok button in the lower right corner.

Update the title of your chart in Excel

1. It is advantageous to link the title of the chart, as it will ensure that it is up to date. To do this, click on the title in the chart.
2. Click on the formula field, under the menu, and type an equals sign (=).
3. Click on the cell to which you want to link the chart title.
4. Press either the Enter key on your keyboard or click on the green checkmark just to the left of the formula field.
5. The title in the chart is linked to the text content in the cell. To update the title, click on the cell again and update it.
6. The title in the chart will automatically update when you update the content in the cell.

Edit your chart in Excel

1. Click on the chart to access the Chart design tab in the menu.
2. Click on the Chart design tab second from the right in the menu.
3. Click on the Add chart element button. You will find this button on the far left in the menu, under the Chart layouts section.
4. In the drop-down menu, choose the Legend option.
5. The menu allows you to insert or modify elements that are already inserted.
6. Some chart elements you need to update in the chart window. To access the chart window, click on the vertical axis in the chart you want to update.
7. Right-click to access more settings.
8. Select Format axis, the last choice in the list of options.
9. The chart window, visible on the right side, allows you to make changes to elements such as Axis bounds.
10. You can also customize Axis units.
11. Another useful tool is data labels. To insert data labels, start by selecting the series you want to apply a data label to.
12. Click on the Add chart element button. You will find this button on the far left in the menu, under the Chart layouts section.
13. Click on the Data labels option in the drop-down menu.
14. Outside end is a good option for your data label. Click on that option.
15. You can repeat the same steps to apply labels to the other series as well.