Please Note: This article is written for users of the following Microsoft Excel versions: 2007, 2010, 2013, 2016, 2019, and 2021. 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: Moving a Chart's Legend.
Written by Allen Wyatt (last updated February 11, 2025)
This tip applies to Excel 2007, 2010, 2013, 2016, 2019, and 2021
Excel provides a wide range of charts you can use to graphically represent the data in your worksheet. The provided charts are just a start, however, as you can modify the base charts quite a bit. For instance, you can add a legend to your chart, as described in other issues of ExcelTips. Once your legend is placed, your options are still not complete. You can move the legend to any position within your chart.
To move a chart's legend, simply click on it once to select it. (You will know it is selected when handles appear around the perimeter of the legend.) Then use the mouse to click within the legend and drag the legend to the desired position on the chart. When you release the mouse button, the legend stays where you dropped it.
ExcelTips is your source for cost-effective Microsoft Excel training. This tip (10520) applies to Microsoft Excel 2007, 2010, 2013, 2016, 2019, and 2021. You can find a version of this tip for the older menu interface of Excel here: Moving a Chart's Legend.
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Please Note:
This article is written for users of the following Microsoft Excel versions: 2007, 2010, 2013, 2016, 2019, and 2021. 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:
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