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 December 7, 2013)

2

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. ...

MORE FROM ALLEN

Determining the Number of Bookmarks Defined in a Document

If you develop a macro that needs to work with bookmarks defined in a document, it is inevitable that you will need a way ...

Discover More

Getting Audible Feedback

You can add a bit of sound to your editing tasks by turning on Word's sound capabilities. This tip shows where this ...

Discover More

Getting Rid of Spaces in Cells

Importing data into Excel that was generated in other programs can have some interesting side effects. For instance, you ...

Discover More

Excel Smarts for Beginners! Featuring the friendly and trusted For Dummies style, this popular guide shows beginners how to get up and running with Excel while also helping more experienced users get comfortable with the newest features. Check out Excel 2013 For Dummies today!

More ExcelTips (ribbon)

Colorizing Charts

Need to change the color of different parts of your chart? It's easy to do when you apply the technique described in this ...

Discover More

Creating a Log/Log Chart

If you need to create a chart that uses logarithmic values on both axes, it can be confusing how to get what you want. ...

Discover More

Printing a Chart Across Multiple Pages

Wouldn't it be great to have your huge charts print out on multiple pieces of paper that you could then piece together? ...

Discover More
Subscribe

FREE SERVICE: Get tips like this every week in ExcelTips, a free productivity newsletter. Enter your address and click "Subscribe."

View most recent newsletter.

(Your e-mail address is not shared with anyone, ever.)

Comments

If you would like to add an image to your comment (not an avatar, but an image to help in making the point of your comment), include the characters [{fig}] in your comment text. You’ll be prompted to upload your image when you submit the comment. Maximum image size is 6Mpixels. Images larger than 600px wide or 1000px tall will be reduced. Up to three images may be included in a comment. All images are subject to review. Commenting privileges may be curtailed if inappropriate images are posted.

What is 9 - 5?

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".

This Site

Got a version of Excel that uses the ribbon interface (Excel 2007 or later)? This site is for you! If you use an earlier version of Excel, visit our ExcelTips site focusing on the menu interface.

Newest Tips
Subscribe

FREE SERVICE: Get tips like this every week in ExcelTips, a free productivity newsletter. Enter your address and click "Subscribe."

(Your e-mail address is not shared with anyone, ever.)

View the most recent newsletter.

Links and Sharing
OUR COMPANY
OUR PRODUCTS
OUR AUTHORS
OUR SITES
 

Copyright © 2019 Sharon Parq Associates, Inc.