Insert charts
Insert a chart
To insert a chart into your document,
- put the cursor at the place where you want to add a chart,
- switch to the Insert tab of the top toolbar,
- click the Chart icon at the top toolbar,
- select the needed chart type from the available ones - Column, Line, Pie, Bar, Area, XY (Scatter), or Stock,
Note: for Column, Line, Pie, or Bar charts, a 3D format is also available.
- after that the Chart Editor window will appear where you can enter the necessary data into the cells using the following controls:
- and for copying and pasting the copied data
- and for undoing and redoing actions
- for inserting a function
- and for decreasing and increasing decimal places
for changing the number format, i.e. the way the numbers you enter appear in cells
- change the chart settings clicking the Edit Chart button situated in the Chart Editor window. The Chart - Advanced Settings window will open.
The Type & Data tab allows you to change the chart type as well as the data you wish to use to create a chart.
- Select a chart Type you wish to apply: Column, Line, Pie, Bar, Area, XY (Scatter), or Stock.
- Check the selected Data Range and modify it, if necessary, clicking the Select Data button and entering the desired data range in the following format: Sheet1!A1:B4.
- Choose the way to arrange the data. You can either select the Data series to be used on the X axis: in rows or in columns.
The Layout tab allows you to change the layout of chart elements.
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Specify the Chart Title position in regard to your chart selecting the necessary option from the drop-down list:
- None to not display a chart title,
- Overlay to overlay and center a title on the plot area,
- No Overlay to display the title above the plot area.
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Specify the Legend position in regard to your chart selecting the necessary option from the drop-down list:
- None to not display a legend,
- Bottom to display the legend and align it to the bottom of the plot area,
- Top to display the legend and align it to the top of the plot area,
- Right to display the legend and align it to the right of the plot area,
- Left to display the legend and align it to the left of the plot area,
- Left Overlay to overlay and center the legend to the left on the plot area,
- Right Overlay to overlay and center the legend to the right on the plot area.
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Specify the Data Labels (i.e. text labels that represent exact values of data points) parameters:
- specify the Data Labels position relative to the data points selecting the necessary option from the drop-down list. The available options vary depending on the selected chart type.
- For Column/Bar charts, you can choose the following options: None, Center, Inner Bottom, Inner Top, Outer Top.
- For Line/XY (Scatter)/Stock charts, you can choose the following options: None, Center, Left, Right, Top, Bottom.
- For Pie charts, you can choose the following options: None, Center, Fit to Width, Inner Top, Outer Top.
- For Area charts as well as for 3D Column, Line and Bar charts, you can choose the following options: None, Center.
- select the data you wish to include into your labels checking the corresponding boxes: Series Name, Category Name, Value,
- enter a character (comma, semicolon etc.) you wish to use for separating several labels into the Data Labels Separator entry field.
- Lines - is used to choose a line style for Line/XY (Scatter) charts. You can choose one of the following options: Straight to use straight lines between data points, Smooth to use smooth curves between data points, or None to not display lines.
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Markers - is used to specify whether the markers should be displayed (if the box is checked) or not (if the box is unchecked) for Line/XY (Scatter) charts.
Note: the Lines and Markers options are available for Line charts and XY (Scatter) charts only.
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The Axis Settings section allows to specify if you wish to display Horizontal/Vertical Axis or not selecting the Show or Hide option from the drop-down list. You can also specify Horizontal/Vertical Axis Title parameters:
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Specify if you wish to display the Horizontal Axis Title or not selecting the necessary option from the drop-down list:
- None to not display a horizontal axis title,
- No Overlay to display the title below the horizontal axis.
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Specify the Vertical Axis Title orientation selecting the necessary option from the drop-down list:
- None to not display a vertical axis title,
- Rotated to display the title from bottom to top to the left of the vertical axis,
- Horizontal to display the title horizontally to the left of the vertical axis.
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The Gridlines section allows to specify which of the Horizontal/Vertical Gridlines you wish to display selecting the necessary option from the drop-down list: Major, Minor, or Major and Minor. You can hide the gridlines at all using the None option.
Note: the Axis Settings and Gridlines sections will be disabled for Pie charts since charts of this type have no axes and gridlines.
Note: the Vertical/Horizontal Axis tabs will be disabled for Pie charts since charts of this type have no axes.
The Vertical Axis tab allows you to change the parameters of the vertical axis also referred to as the values axis or y-axis which displays numeric values. Note that the vertical axis will be the category axis which displays text labels for the Bar charts, therefore in this case the Vertical Axis tab options will correspond to the ones described in the next section. For the XY (Scatter) charts, both axes are value axes.
- The Axis Options section allows to set the following parameters:
- Minimum Value - is used to specify a lowest value displayed at the vertical axis start. The Auto option is selected by default, in this case the minimum value is calculated automatically depending on the selected data range. You can select the Fixed option from the drop-down list and specify a different value in the entry field on the right.
- Maximum Value - is used to specify a highest value displayed at the vertical axis end. The Auto option is selected by default, in this case the maximum value is calculated automatically depending on the selected data range. You can select the Fixed option from the drop-down list and specify a different value in the entry field on the right.
- Axis Crosses - is used to specify a point on the vertical axis where the horizontal axis should cross it. The Auto option is selected by default, in this case the axes intersection point value is calculated automatically depending on the selected data range. You can select the Value option from the drop-down list and specify a different value in the entry field on the right, or set the axes intersection point at the Minimum/Maximum Value on the vertical axis.
- Display Units - is used to determine a representation of the numeric values along the vertical axis. This option can be useful if you're working with great numbers and wish the values on the axis to be displayed in more compact and readable way (e.g. you can represent 50 000 as 50 by using the Thousands display units). Select desired units from the drop-down list: Hundreds, Thousands, 10 000, 100 000, Millions, 10 000 000, 100 000 000, Billions, Trillions, or choose the None option to return to the default units.
- Values in reverse order - is used to display values in an opposite direction. When the box is unchecked, the lowest value is at the bottom and the highest value is at the top of the axis. When the box is checked, the values are ordered from top to bottom.
- The Tick Options section allows to adjust the appearance of tick marks on the vertical scale. Major tick marks are the larger scale divisions which can have labels displaying numeric values. Minor tick marks are the scale subdivisions which are placed between the major tick marks and have no labels. Tick marks also define where gridlines can be displayed, if the corresponding option is set at the Layout tab. The Major/Minor Type drop-down lists contain the following placement options:
- None to not display major/minor tick marks,
- Cross to display major/minor tick marks on both sides of the axis,
- In to display major/minor tick marks inside the axis,
- Out to display major/minor tick marks outside the axis.
- The Label Options section allows to adjust the appearance of major tick mark labels which display values. To specify a Label Position in regard to the vertical axis, select the necessary option from the drop-down list:
- None to not display tick mark labels,
- Low to display tick mark labels to the left of the plot area,
- High to display tick mark labels to the right of the plot area,
- Next to axis to display tick mark labels next to the axis.
The Horizontal Axis tab allows you to change the parameters of the horizontal axis also referred to as the categories axis or x-axis which displays text labels. Note that the horizontal axis will be the value axis which displays numeric values for the Bar charts, therefore in this case the Horizontal Axis tab options will correspond to the ones described in the previous section. For the XY (Scatter) charts, both axes are value axes.
- The Axis Options section allows to set the following parameters:
- Axis Crosses - is used to specify a point on the horizontal axis where the vertical axis should cross it. The Auto option is selected by default, in this case the axes intersection point value is calculated automatically depending on the selected data range. You can select the Value option from the drop-down list and specify a different value in the entry field on the right, or set the axes intersection point at the Minimum/Maximum Value (that corresponds to the first and last category) on the horizontal axis.
- Axis Position - is used to specify where the axis text labels should be placed: On Tick Marks or Between Tick Marks.
- Values in reverse order - is used to display categories in an opposite direction. When the box is unchecked, categories are displayed from left to right. When the box is checked, the categories are ordered from right to left.
- The Tick Options section allows to adjust the appearance of tick marks on the horizontal scale. Major tick marks are the larger divisions which can have labels displaying category values. Minor tick marks are the smaller divisions which are placed between the major tick marks and have no labels. Tick marks also define where gridlines can be displayed, if the corresponding option is set at the Layout tab. You can adjust the following tick mark parameters:
- Major/Minor Type - is used to specify the following placement options: None to not display major/minor tick marks, Cross to display major/minor tick marks on both sides of the axis, In to display major/minor tick marks inside the axis, Out to display major/minor tick marks outside the axis.
- Interval between Marks - is used to specify how many categories should be displayed between two adjacent tick marks.
- The Label Options section allows to adjust the appearance of labels which display categories.
- Label Position - is used to specify where the labels should be placed in regard to the horizontal axis. Select the necessary option from the drop-down list: None to not display category labels, Low to display category labels at the bottom of the plot area, High to display category labels at the top of the plot area, Next to axis to display category labels next to the axis.
- Axis Label Distance - is used to specify how closely the labels should be placed to the axis. You can specify the necessary value in the entry field. The more the value you set, the more the distance between the axis and labels is.
- Interval between Labels - is used to specify how often the labels should be displayed. The Auto option is selected by default, in this case labels are displayed for every category. You can select the Manual option from the drop-down list and specify the necessary value in the entry field on the right. For example, enter 2 to display labels for every other category etc.
The Alternative Text tab allows to specify a Title and Description which will be read to the people with vision or cognitive impairments to help them better understand what information there is in the chart.
Move and resize charts
Once the chart is added, you can change its size and position. To change the chart size, drag small squares situated on its edges. To maintain the original proportions of the selected chart while resizing, hold down the Shift key and drag one of the corner icons.
To alter the chart position, use the icon that appears after hovering your mouse cursor over the chart. Drag the chart to the necessary position without releasing the mouse button. When you move the chart, guide lines are displayed to help you position the object on the page precisely (if a wrapping style other than inline is selected).
Note: the list of keyboard shortcuts that can be used when working with objects is available here.
Edit chart elements
To edit the chart Title, select the default text with the mouse and type in your own one instead.
To change the font formatting within text elements, such as the chart title, axes titles, legend entries, data labels etc., select the necessary text element by left-clicking it. Then use icons at the Home tab of the top toolbar to change the font type, size, color or its decoration style.
When the chart is selected, the Shape settings icon is also available on the right, since a shape is used as a background for the chart. You can click this icon to open the Shape settings tab at the right sidebar and adjust the shape Fill, Stroke and Wrapping Style. Note that you cannot change the shape type.
Using the Shape Settings tab at the right panel you can not only adjust the chart area itself, but also change the chart elements, such as plot area, data series, chart title, legend etc and apply different fill types to them. Select the chart element clicking it with the left mouse button and choose the preferred fill type: solid color, gradient, texture or picture, pattern. Specify the fill parameters and set the Opacity level if necessary.
When you select a vertical or horizontal axis or gridlines, the stroke settings are only available at the Shape Settings tab: color, width and type. For more details on how to work with shape colors, fills and stroke, you can refer to this page.
Note: the Show shadow option is also available at the Shape settings tab, but it is disabled for chart elements.
To delete a chart element, select it by left-clicking and press the Delete key on the keyboard.
You can also rotate 3D charts using the mouse. Left-click within the plot area and hold the mouse button. Drag the cursor without releasing the mouse button to change the 3D chart orientation.
Adjust chart settings
Some of the chart settings can be altered using the Chart settings tab of the right sidebar. To activate it click the chart and choose the Chart settings icon on the right. Here you can change the following properties:
- Size is used to view the current chart Width and Height.
- Wrapping Style is used to select a text wrapping style from the available ones - inline, square, tight, through, top and bottom, in front, behind (for more information see the advanced settings description below).
- Change Chart Type is used to change the selected chart type and/or style.
To select the necessary chart Style, use the second drop-down menu in the Change Chart Type section.
- Edit Data is used to open the 'Chart Editor' window.
Note: to quickly open the 'Chart Editor' window you can also double-click the chart in the document.
Some of these options you can also find in the right-click menu. The menu options are:
- Cut, Copy, Paste - standard options which are used to cut or copy a selected text/object and paste a previously cut/copied text passage or object to the current cursor position.
- Arrange is used to bring the selected chart to foreground, send to background, move forward or backward as well as group or ungroup charts to perform operations with several of them at once. To learn more on how to arrange objects you can refer to this page.
- Align is used to align the chart left, center, right, top, middle, bottom. To learn more on how to align objects you can refer to this page.
- Wrapping Style is used to select a text wrapping style from the available ones - inline, square, tight, through, top and bottom, in front, behind. The Edit Wrap Boundary option is unavailable for charts.
- Edit Data is used to open the 'Chart Editor' window.
- Chart Advanced Settings is used to open the 'Chart - Advanced Settings' window.
To change the chart advanced settings, click the needed chart with the right mouse button and select Chart Advanced Settings from the right-click menu or just click the Show advanced settings link at the right sidebar. The chart properties window will open:
The Size tab contains the following parameters:
- Width and Height - use these options to change the chart width and/or height. If the Constant Proportions button is clicked (in this case it looks like this ), the width and height will be changed together preserving the original chart aspect ratio.
The Text Wrapping tab contains the following parameters:
- Wrapping Style - use this option to change the way the chart is positioned relative to the text: it will either be a part of the text (in case you select the inline style) or bypassed by it from all sides (if you select one of the other styles).
If you select the square, tight, through, or top and bottom style you will be able to set up some additional parameters - distance from text at all sides (top, bottom, left, right).
The Position tab is available only if you select a wrapping style other than inline. This tab contains the following parameters that vary depending on the selected wrapping style:
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The Horizontal section allows you to select one of the following three chart positioning types:
- Alignment (left, center, right) relative to character, column, left margin, margin, page or right margin,
- Absolute Position measured in absolute units i.e. Centimeters/Points/Inches (depending on the option specified at the File -> Advanced Settings... tab) to the right of character, column, left margin, margin, page or right margin,
- Relative position measured in percent relative to the left margin, margin, page or right margin.
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The Vertical section allows you to select one of the following three chart positioning types:
- Alignment (top, center, bottom) relative to line, margin, bottom margin, paragraph, page or top margin,
- Absolute Position measured in absolute units i.e. Centimeters/Points/Inches (depending on the option specified at the File -> Advanced Settings... tab) below line, margin, bottom margin, paragraph, page or top margin,
- Relative position measured in percent relative to the margin, bottom margin, page or top margin.
- Move object with text controls whether the chart moves as the text to which it is anchored moves.
- Allow overlap controls whether two charts overlap or not if you drag them near each other on the page.
The Alternative Text tab allows to specify a Title and Description which will be read to the people with vision or cognitive impairments to help them better understand what information there is in the chart.
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