Enhancing a Data Series

When you initially use the Chart Wizard, Excel automatically selects the colors that it will use to represent each data series. You can change one or all of the default colors. You may want more dynamic colors ”adding patterns and texture to further enhance a data series. Or, perhaps you'll be printing your charts in black and white and you want to ensure the readability of each data series. You can also insert a picture in a chart so that its image occupies a bar or column.

Change a Data Series Color or Pattern

Click any data point in a data series to select it.

Double-click a data point in the selected data series.

Click the Patterns tab.

Click a color in the Area palette. The selected color displays in the Sample box.

If you want to add effects, such as textures, patterns, gradients, or pictures, click the Fill Effects button.

Click the Gradient, Texture, or Pattern tab to change the qualities of the data series color.

When you're done, click OK.

Click OK if you're satisfied with the results shown in the Sample box, or select different options.

Did You Know?

You can format a chart object quickly . Double-clicking an object opens a corresponding Format dialog box, which you can use to change the object's attributes. Depending on which objects are selected, your formatting options will vary.

Add a Picture to a Data Series

Select a data series.

Double-click a data point in the selected series.

Click Fill Effects.

Click the Picture tab.

Click Select Picture.

Locate and select the graphics file.

Click OK.

If you want the data point to contain one copy of the image stretched to fill it, click the Stretch option; or if you want the data point to contain many copies of the image, click the Stack option.

Click OK.

Delete a Picture from a Data Series

Select a data series.

Double-click a data point in the selected series.

Select a Color Area.

Select a Border.

Click OK.