Excel Chart Plot Area

The plot area is the background area behind the chart. In a default chart sheet the background is gray. When you click on the gray area you will select the plot area and just like all other items in the chart, you can apply formatting, and size the area.

Sizing the Plot Area

At times you will need to size the plot area to allow as much room as possible for the data markers.

1. Select the chart area. (When selected the Plot Area will show its sizing handles.)
2. Rest your mouse on the sizing handles, your mouse pointer will turn to the double-headed arrow indicating that you are in the sizing mode.
3. Drag away from the center to expand the plot area and toward the center to shrink.

Changing the Color and Border of the Plot Area

1. Select the Plot Area
2. Right-click and choose Format, Plot Area
   OR
   Double-click on the Plot Area
3. The Format box will open
   
   TIP: When using the double-click method to open the Format box, ALWAYS check the title bar of the Format box to maker sure you are formatting the item you intended.
   
   
   
4. In the left pane, select the line style, color, and weight from the respective drop lists.
5. In the right pane, select the Plot Area color.
6. A preview will appear in the sample box.
7. Click OK.

Using Fill Effects and Graphics in the Plot Area

At times you may want more than just a solid color for the chart background. You have several fill options as well as the ability to insert a graphic file (picture) in the Plot Area.

1. Open the Format Plot Area box.
2. Click on the Fill Effects… button under the color selection boxes.
3. In the Fill Effects box, select the desired tab and format or choose the desired effect. (See the illustrations below.)
4. Preview the formatting in the sample pane and click OK when finished.
    
    CAUTION: Too much background formatting could make your graph hard to read. Use discretion when applying these options.

Gradient

Colors Section- Select 1 or 2 colors, or use the preselected color combinations.

Transparency Section- Select the amount of transparency.

Shading Styles Section- Select the direction of the gradient. 

Texture

Choose a texture from the list or import one from an existing file. Several graphic related websites have textures for download. Save the download to your computer and then import into Excel using the Other Texture button.

Pattern

Select the pattern and color combination.

Picture

Browse for a graphic file to fill the plot area. For example, you may want your company logo in the background of your chart.

Formatting Excel Chart Text

Formatting the Entire Chart Text

1. Point to the white area outside the Plot Area.
2. Your mouse pointer tip flag should read “Chart Area”
3. Double-Click.
4. Verify the resulting box is the Format Chart Area box.
   Note: The Chart Area can be formatted for border, color, and fill effects like the Plot Area. Take care to use this formatting wisely.
5. Click on the Font tab.
6. Select the font formatting as you would apply text formatting to a cell on a worksheet.
7. Click OK. The font formatting will apply to the entire chart.

Formatting the Text of Individual Items

When selecting individual items of the chart, take care with the double-click method of opening the Format box. At times you will select a data point item when you really want a data series item. The right-click or main menu method may be a less frustrating way to open the Format box for some of the items on the chart.

1. Select the item
2. Click on the Font tab and select the desired font formatting.
3. Click on the Alignment tab and select the desired font alignment. 
   
   
   
4. Click OK.

Formatting Chart Numbers

Format Value Data Labels

If you have Value Data Labels showing on the chart…

1. Click on the label of the Data Series.
2. Right-click and chose Format, Data Label.
3. Click on the Number tab.
4. Select the desired number format. Format the numbers as you would a cell containing numbers on your worksheet.

Individual Data Label

A data label for a data point can be formatted by:

1. Click on a Data Label. (Then series labels are selected.)
2. Click again on the same Data Labe.
3. Right-click and choose Format, Data Label…
4. Format as above.

Format the Value Axis

1. Double-click on the Value Axis.
2. Format the Font and Alignment as described above.
3. Click the Number tab. Choose the appropriate number formatting. (These are the same number formatting options that you have when formatting a cell in Excel.)
   
   
   
4. Click on the Scale tab.
   If you want to start at a number other than 0, change the minimum number.
   If you want the limit the top number of your chart, set that number in the Maximum.
   Regulate the value cross lines using the Major and/or Minor values.
   Regulate where the Category axis crosses the Value axis in the Crosses at: box.
   The bottom section will allow changes in the number display direction.
   
   
   
5. Click on the Patterns tab and format any extra tic marks desired.
   
   
   
6. If you want the text to have a different look on the Value Axis change the font on the Font tab and the alignment on the Alignment tab.
7. Click OK.

Data Series

All Format Data Series boxes have the same tabs. Patterns, Axis, Y Error Bars, Data Labels, Series Order, and Options. The Patterns and Options will change depending on the type of chart.

Patterns- Format the look of the series.

Axis- Allows you to insert a secondary Value Axis on the chart to display two separate series on the same chart.

Y Error Bars- Allows you to display a plus or minus factor in the value of the data point.

Data Labels- Data Labels for the series.

Series Order- Change the order of the series without rearranging the source data.

Options- Specific to the type of chart.

Bars and Columns

Patterns- Bar and column charts can be formatted with color, fill, and pictures as you formatted the Plot Area. (Format, Data Series, Patterns tab) You can use some pictures effectively to give dramatic effect to a chart. For example, if you are talking about corn futures, you may want to user ears of corn for the data series. Remember that some pictures may become distorted as the value grows. Again, use caution, to not over clutter your chart. A chart’s best feature is an uncluttered display of the data for maximum readability.

Options- The Options tab will allow you to manage the spacing between the columns or bars.

Lines

Patterns- Set the line style and the data marker style.

Options- Set Drop Line options. Drop Lines are vertical lines that emphasize the location of the data point.

Exploding Pie

Pie charts have a unique feature that will allow you to add extra drama to your charts. You can separate some or all of the the pie slices.

To Explode the Entire Pie

1. Click on the pie
2. Drag a slice away from the center.
3. All the slices will separate.
   
   

To Explode one slice for emplasis on only one area

1. Click on the slice to explode.
2. The whole pie is selected.
3. Click on the slice again.
4. The single slice is selected.
5. Drag the slice away from the rest of the pie.
   
   

Excel User-defined Chart Types

If you have several charts to create in a workbook and want a uniform look, you can use a user-defined chart type to speed the process. Here are the steps:

Create a User-define chart type

1. Create the beginning chart.
2. Apply the formatting that you want for all of the charts.
3. With the chart active, select Chart, Chart Type on the menu.
4. Click the Custom Types tab.
5. Select the User-defined button under the Chart type box.
   
   
   
6. Click on the Add… button
7. In the Add Custom Chart Type box, type the name and description of your chart type and click OK.
   
   
   
8. Click OK to close the Chart Type box.

Apply a User-defined Chart Type

1. After creating a new chart, select Chart, Chart Type… from the menu.
2. Click on the Custom Types tab.
3. Click on the User-defined button.
4. Select your User-defined char from the list and click OK.