Wednesday, May 17, 2023

Add & Format Charts



Charts are an effective way of representing data. Long list of confusing numbers can instantly become trends which can be spotted when they are captured as charts. PowerPoint supports the addition and formatting of charts.

Given below are the steps to add a chart to PowerPoint.

Step 1 − Go to the Illustrations group under the Insert ribbon.

Microsoft PowerPoint 2010

Step 2 − Click on the Chart option to open the Insert Chart dialog. You can choose the chart category and pick individual chart types from the list.

Microsoft PowerPoint 2010

Step 3 − Select the chart type and click OK or double-click on the chart type to insert the chart in the slide.

Microsoft PowerPoint 2010

Step 4 − Along with the chart, an Excel spreadsheet is also launched. This spreadsheet is the source for your chart. You can change the category names, series names and individual values to suit your needs.

Microsoft PowerPoint 2010

As you edit the values and the table in Excel the chart gets modified accordingly.

The PowerPoint chart formatting features have been grouped under three ribbons: DesignLayout and Format. The sections below discuss the features under each ribbon. To access these ribbons you must select the chart first.

Chart Design Features

We will now understand the various chart design features in PowerPoint.

Microsoft PowerPoint 2010

The table given below describes the various chart design features −

FeatureSub FeaturesDescription
TypeChange Chart TypeChanges the chart type retaining the same data.
Save As TemplateSaves current chart type as a template.
DataSwitch Row/ColumnTransposes current excel data - this is enabled when you have the source data excel sheet open.
Select DataChanges the data range covered in the chart.
Edit DataChanges the chart source data.
Refresh DataRefreshes the chart to show the latest data.
Chart LayoutsChart LayoutsOffers a list of predefined layouts which can be instantly applied to current chart with a single click.
Chart StylesChart StylesOffers a list of predefined styles which can be instantly applied to current chart with a single click.

Chart Layout Features

We will now understand the various chart layout features in PowerPoint.

Microsoft PowerPoint 2010

The following table describes the various chart layout features in PowerPoint.

FeatureSub FeaturesDescription
Current SelectionDrop downShows the currently selected chart element.
Format SelectionShows the selection format dialog to update the selection.
Reset to Match StyleDiscards all the chart customizations and matches the chart with the overall presentation theme.
InsertPictureSuperimposes an image on top of the chart.
ShapeAdds a shape to the slide.
Text BoxAdds a text box to the slide.
LabelsChart TitleDefines the visibility, position and style of the chart title.
Axis TitlesDefines the visibility, position and style of the axis titles.
LegendDefines the visibility and position of the chart legend.
Data LabelsDefines the visibility and position of the data labels.
Data TableDefines the visibility, position and format of the data table.
AxesAxesDefines the position and scale of axes.
GridlinesDefines the visibility and scale of axes.
BackgroundPlot AreaToggles chart plot area - available only for 2D charts.
Chart WallToggles the chart wall - available only for 3D charts.
Chart FloorToggles the chart floor - available only for 3D charts.
3-D RotationToggles the chart 3D rotation- available only for 3D charts.

Chart Format Features

We will now understand the various chart format features in PowerPoint.

Microsoft PowerPoint 2010

The following table describes the various chart format features in PowerPoint.

FeatureSub FeaturesDescription
Current SelectionDrop downShows the currently selected chart element.
Format SelectionShows the selection format dialog to update the selection.
Reset to Match StyleDiscards all the chart customizations and matches the chart with the overall presentation theme.
Shape StylesShape FillOffers different shades to be added to selected chart series item. You can pick from solid shade, texture, image or gradient shading.
BorderOffers different border options for selected chart series item. You can edit the border color, thickness and style.
EffectsOffers the ability to add special effects to selected chart series item.
Word Art StylesText FillAllows you to change the color of the text within the chart.
Text OutlineAllows you to add an outline to the text within the chart and change the outline color, weight and style.
Text EffectsAllows you to add special effects (like reflection, shadow etc.) to the text within the chart.
Quick StylesContains a list of pre-defined Word Art styles that can be applied to the selected text within the chart with a single click.
ArrangeBring ForwardAllows you to move the chart up by one layer or right to the top.
Send BackwardAllows you to move the chart down by one layer or right to the bottom of the slide.
Selection PaneToggles the Selection and Visibility sidebar.
AlignAllows you to align the entire chart with reference to the slide.
GroupAllows you to group multiple charts as one group object, or split a group object into individual charts.
SizeHeightAllows you to adjust the chart height.
WidthAllows you to adjust the chart width.

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