Add & Format Charts in Powerpoint 2010
Charts are an effective way of representing data. Long list of confusing numbers can instantly become trends which can be spotted when they are captured as charts. PowerPoint supports the addition and formatting of charts.
Given below are the steps to add a chart to PowerPoint.
Step 1 − Go to the Illustrations group under the Insert ribbon.
Step 2 − Click on the Chart option to open the Insert Chart dialog. You can choose the chart category and pick individual chart types from the list.
Step 3 − Select the chart type and click OK or double-click on the chart type to insert the chart in the slide.
Step 4 − Along with the chart, an Excel spreadsheet is also launched. This spreadsheet is the source for your chart. You can change the category names, series names and individual values to suit your needs.
As you edit the values and the table in Excel the chart gets modified accordingly.
The PowerPoint chart formatting features have been grouped under three ribbons: Design, Layout and Format. The sections below discuss the features under each ribbon. To access these ribbons you must select the chart first.
Chart Design Features
We will now understand the various chart design features in PowerPoint.
The table given below describes the various chart design features −
| Feature |
Sub Features |
Description |
| Type |
Change Chart Type |
Changes the chart type retaining the same data. |
| Save As Template |
Saves current chart type as a template. |
| Data |
Switch Row/Column |
Transposes current excel data - this is enabled when you have the source data excel sheet open. |
| Select Data |
Changes the data range covered in the chart. |
| Edit Data |
Changes the chart source data. |
| Refresh Data |
Refreshes the chart to show the latest data. |
| Chart Layouts |
Chart Layouts |
Offers a list of predefined layouts which can be instantly applied to current chart with a single click. |
| Chart Styles |
Chart Styles |
Offers a list of predefined styles which can be instantly applied to current chart with a single click. |
Chart Layout Features
We will now understand the various chart layout features in PowerPoint.
The following table describes the various chart layout features in PowerPoint.
| Feature |
Sub Features |
Description |
| Current Selection |
Drop down |
Shows the currently selected chart element. |
| Format Selection |
Shows the selection format dialog to update the selection. |
| Reset to Match Style |
Discards all the chart customizations and matches the chart with the overall presentation theme. |
| Insert |
Picture |
Superimposes an image on top of the chart. |
| Shape |
Adds a shape to the slide. |
| Text Box |
Adds a text box to the slide. |
| Labels |
Chart Title |
Defines the visibility, position and style of the chart title. |
| Axis Titles |
Defines the visibility, position and style of the axis titles. |
| Legend |
Defines the visibility and position of the chart legend. |
| Data Labels |
Defines the visibility and position of the data labels. |
| Data Table |
Defines the visibility, position and format of the data table. |
| Axes |
Axes |
Defines the position and scale of axes. |
| Gridlines |
Defines the visibility and scale of axes. |
| Background |
Plot Area |
Toggles chart plot area - available only for 2D charts. |
| Chart Wall |
Toggles the chart wall - available only for 3D charts. |
| Chart Floor |
Toggles the chart floor - available only for 3D charts. |
| 3-D Rotation |
Toggles the chart 3D rotation- available only for 3D charts. |
Chart Format Features
We will now understand the various chart format features in PowerPoint.
The following table describes the various chart format features in PowerPoint.
| Feature |
Sub Features |
Description |
| Current Selection |
Drop down |
Shows the currently selected chart element. |
| Format Selection |
Shows the selection format dialog to update the selection. |
| Reset to Match Style |
Discards all the chart customizations and matches the chart with the overall presentation theme. |
| Shape Styles |
Shape Fill |
Offers different shades to be added to selected chart series item. You can pick from solid shade, texture, image or gradient shading. |
| Border |
Offers different border options for selected chart series item. You can edit the border color, thickness and style. |
| Effects |
Offers the ability to add special effects to selected chart series item. |
| Word Art Styles |
Text Fill |
Allows you to change the color of the text within the chart. |
| Text Outline |
Allows you to add an outline to the text within the chart and change the outline color, weight and style. |
| Text Effects |
Allows you to add special effects (like reflection, shadow etc.) to the text within the chart. |
| Quick Styles |
Contains a list of pre-defined Word Art styles that can be applied to the selected text within the chart with a single click. |
| Arrange |
Bring Forward |
Allows you to move the chart up by one layer or right to the top. |
| Send Backward |
Allows you to move the chart down by one layer or right to the bottom of the slide. |
| Selection Pane |
Toggles the Selection and Visibility sidebar. |
| Align |
Allows you to align the entire chart with reference to the slide. |
| Group |
Allows you to group multiple charts as one group object, or split a group object into individual charts. |
| Size |
Height |
Allows you to adjust the chart height. |
| Width |
Allows you to adjust the chart width. |
