Please Note: This article is written for users of the following Microsoft Excel versions: 2007, 2010, and 2013. If you are using an earlier version (Excel 2003 or earlier), this tip may not work for you. For a version of this tip written specifically for earlier versions of Excel, click here: Changing Chart Type.

Changing Chart Type

by Allen Wyatt
(last updated July 12, 2019)

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When you create a chart in Excel, the chart can be either embedded as an object within an worksheet, or you can add the chart as its own worksheet. Each type of chart has its advantages, and at some time you might want to change a particular chart from one type to the other. In order to do this, follow these steps:

  1. Select the chart you want to change. If working with a chart object, then you should see a series of handles around the perimeter of the chart. If working with a chart sheet, the chart sheet should be displayed.
  2. Make sure the Design tab of the ribbon is displayed. (This tab is only visible if you've selected the chart, in step 1.)
  3. Click the Move Chart option, in the Location group, at the right side of the ruler. Excel displays the Move Chart dialog box. (See Figure 1.)

    4. Figure 1. The Move Chart dialog box.

  4. Choose whether you want the chart displayed as a sheet or as an object.
  5. If you choose that you want the chart displayed as an object, use the drop-down list to select the worksheet on which the chart object should appear.
  6. Click on OK.

ExcelTips is your source for cost-effective Microsoft Excel training. This tip (6193) applies to Microsoft Excel 2007, 2010, and 2013. You can find a version of this tip for the older menu interface of Excel here: Changing Chart Type.

Author Bio

Allen Wyatt

With more than 50 non-fiction books and numerous magazine articles to his credit, Allen Wyatt is an internationally recognized author. He is president of Sharon Parq Associates, a computer and publishing services company. ...

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What is nine more than 9?

2013-12-09 11:43:44

BillD

And probably stating the obvious, just moving an embedded chart between tab sheets works with cut-and-paste. Within a sheet, it's easiest to drag the chart. If it's a "lengthy" drag, cut-and-paste can expedite the task. But be advised, after a cut/paste-chart operation, excel increments the assigned chart number, e.g., "Chart 2" becomes "Chart 3" --a pitfall for simple macro code.

2013-12-09 10:55:16

Bryan

This tip uses the wrong terminology. The place where the chart is located is called the chart location. Chart type refers to the style in which the data is plotted. This should be titled "Changing Chart Location".

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