Enhancing a Chart

Add chart objects , such as titles, legends, and text annotations to a chart to enhance its appearance and increase its overall effectiveness. A chart title identifies the primary purpose of the chart; a title for each axis further clarifies the data that is plotted. Titles can be more than one line and can be formatted just like other worksheet text. You can also add a text annotation , additional text not attached to a specific axis or data point, to call attention to a trend or some other area of interest. A legend helps the reader connect the colors and patterns in a chart with the data they represent.

Add a Title

Select a chart to which you want to add a title or titles.

Click the Chart menu, and then click Chart Options.

Click the Titles tab.

Type the text you want for the title of the chart.

To add a title for the x-axis, press Tab, and then type the text.

To add a title for the y-axis, press Tab, and then type the text.

If you want a second line for the x- or y-axis, press Tab to move to the Second Category or Second Value box, and then type the title text.

Preview the title(s) you are adding.

Click OK.

Did You Know?

You can resize the text box to create a multiple-line title . Select the text box, and then drag a resize handle. Click in the text, and then type in the text box.

Add or Delete a Legend

Select the chart to which you want to add or delete a legend.

Click the Legend button on the Chart toolbar. You can drag the legend to move it to a new location.

Add a Text Annotation

Select a chart to which you want to add a text annotation.

Type the text for the annotation, and then press Enter. A text box containing your text appears within the chart area.

Position the mouse pointer over the text box until the pointer changes shape.

Drag the selected text box to a new location.

Press Esc to deselect the text box.

Did You Know?

You can customize your legend . Legend text is derived from the data series plotted within a chart. You can rename an item within a legend by changing the text in the data series.