top of page

You are learning Creating Charts and Graphs in MS Excel

How to add data tables to charts for displaying specific values?

Here's how to add data tables to charts in Excel to display specific values:

1. Select the Chart:

- Click anywhere on the chart to ensure it's the active element on your worksheet.

2. Access Chart Elements:

There are two main ways to access the option to add a data table:

- Chart Design Tab: Navigate to the "Chart Design" tab on the Excel ribbon.
- Chart Elements Button: Click the "+" button located at the top right corner (or sometimes the top left corner) of the chart area. This button expands a menu with various chart element options.

3. Add Data Table:

- In the "Chart Design" tab, locate the "Add Chart Element" dropdown menu within the "Chart Layouts" section. Click the dropdown arrow.
- From the dropdown menu, select "Data Table."

4. Choose Data Table Options (Optional):

- A data table will automatically appear below your chart, displaying values for the selected data series.
- You can choose between two options by clicking the small arrow next to "Data Table" in the "Chart Design" tab:
- With Legend Keys: This displays the data table with labels corresponding to the legend entries (helpful for charts with multiple data series).
- Without Legend Keys: This displays just the numerical values, which can be more concise for simpler charts.

5. Customize the Data Table (Optional):

- You can further customize the data table formatting by right-clicking on it and selecting "Format Data Table." This allows you to change font size, color, border styles, and more.

Tips:

- Data tables are most useful for charts with a limited number of data series. For complex charts with many data points, the table might become cluttered.
- You can resize the data table by dragging its corners or edges to fit your needs.
- The data table will update automatically when you change the underlying data used to create the chart.

By following these steps, you can effectively add data tables to your charts in Excel, providing viewers with a clear and convenient way to see specific values directly within the chart context.

bottom of page