When Rod tries to add data labels to a column chart (Chart Design | Add Chart Element [in the Chart Layouts group] | Data Labels in newer versions of Excel or Chart Tools | Layout | Data Labels in older versions of Excel) the options displayed are None, Center, Inside End, and Inside Base. The option he wants is Outside End.
In doing some testing, it appears that what Rod may actually be working with is a stacked column chart and not a normal column chart. The reason I say this is that we could only replicate the problem if the chart type was stacked column; if it was a normal column chart, then the Outside End option was available, as expected.
If it is indeed the case that Rod is using a stacked column chart, then it makes sense that Excel wouldn't offer Outside End as that option wouldn't make a lot of sense—where would one expect Excel to display the labels for more than a single data series if the series are stacked into single columns?
If Rod double-checks and finds that the problem is really with column (not stacked) charts, then it could be that there is a problem with the workbook in which the charts are being created. This can be confirmed by creating a new workbook from scratch (not by copying data or worksheets) and then creating a column chart in that workbook. If the Outside End option is there—as it should be for a column chart—then you'll have a good indicator that the problem is with the other workbook itself.
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2020-07-10 02:22:43
James
I have similar desire for this feature - to display outside-end for the top series in the stack. I have a workaround which is fiddly to set up but seems to work for me using Office 2016. Create one more dummy series to sit on top, with some negligible value (e.g. 1). Add data labels to *this* dummy series, and set up as inside-base, and configure it to display cells that are the "true" series that you want for data labels. If necessary, format the dummy data series to be invisible.
2020-07-02 03:59:24
martien
I'm using 2 series, starter and leavers, and show starter + and leavers - (below x-axis). In such case I need the labels outside end
2020-06-25 14:13:21
Brett
By Changing the total data set to a line series I was able to get the total data labels to show above the stacked bar data sets.
2020-06-25 14:04:19
Brett
I wish option was offered. I have a stacked bar chart with the last data set being the total of all the stacked data sets. The total is on a secondary axis and has no fill so it is transparent and the height of it matches the total of all the stacked data, with a data label for the total. I would have loved to have it automatically put the total on the outside of the bar so it would appear on the top of the stacked bar. Without this option I have to manually move the data labels.
2018-12-05 06:03:44
JM
This is such a simple feature that should be available. Why would they remove the possibility of doing this. I need a stacked column with the sum above the bars. Why can't I add the data label on the outside end without moving every single data label manually! Is there any alternative? I tried adding an invisible scatter plot or bar chart, but that changes the whole design of the chart. I would very much appreciate an alternative.
2018-03-31 12:58:51
Kate
Thank you!!! I switched from stacked to clustered and it moved the labels to the outside end!!
2017-10-12 09:24:33
Andrew Dutch
I'm using Stacked Columns and want "Outside End", but get only the "None, Centre, Inside End, and Inside Base" options.
I tried your converting to a Pie and back again but all it did was to centre the data labels.
...Microsoft, there is a demand here you need to meet!!!
2017-09-22 09:57:46
If you have access to Excel XP, you can create your bar chart in Excel and elect to put the data labels outside the ends of the bars. Do this, and then save the file. Then switch to a newer version of Excel (e.g., 2007), and open the file you just saved. You'll probably need to convert the file to the newer version, but the converted version of the file will have the data labels outside the ends of the bars.
2017-02-01 16:26:25
deb
Outside end labels should be available for all column charts. stacked or not. So why aren't they is what I want to know? I am having the same problem.
2015-06-13 09:34:43
miracle bright
it is a thing of wonderful, I have learnt a new thing today, God bless you real good. I still want you to throw more light on sorting, filtering and advanced filtering.
Thanks alot
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