The fastest way to change a chart style
Right-click the chart itself and select Change Chart Type from the menu. Excel opens a panel on the right side of your screen showing all available chart types — column, line, pie, bar, area, scatter, and others. Click the type you want, then click the specific style within that type. The chart updates when ready. If you want to undo, press Ctrl+Z.
If right-clicking does not work, click the chart once to select it, then go to the Chart Design tab at the top of the ribbon. Click Change Chart Type in the left corner. The same panel opens on the right.
You can also change only the visual appearance — colors, fonts, effects — without changing the chart type itself. Click the chart, then click the Chart Design tab and look for Chart Styles in the middle of the ribbon. These are preset color and formatting combinations. Hover over each one to preview it, then click to explore.
Key Takeaways
- Right-click your chart and select Change Chart Type to switch between column, line, pie, bar, and other chart types in seconds.
- The Chart Design tab appears at the top of Excel only when a chart is selected, and it holds both type changes and style presets.
- Chart Styles in the ribbon change colors and formatting without changing the chart type, and you can preview each one before clicking.
- Any change can be undone with Ctrl+Z if the new style does not fit your data or presentation.
Using the Chart Design tab for quick style changes
Once your chart is selected, the Chart Design tab becomes visible in the ribbon at the top. In the middle section labeled Chart Styles, you will see a row of thumbnail previews. Each one shows a different color scheme and formatting applied to your current chart type. Hover your mouse over any thumbnail to see a live preview of how your chart will look.
Click the thumbnail you want to explore it permanently. The change happens when ready. If you have many styles and want to see more options, click the small arrow at the right edge of the Chart Styles row to open a dropdown menu with additional presets.
These style changes do not alter your data or the chart type — they only change the appearance. A column chart styled one way still shows the same numbers and structure as a column chart styled another way.
Changing the chart type itself
If the current chart type does not match your data well, you need to change it to a different type. A pie chart works for showing parts of a whole, but a line chart works better for showing trends over time. A scatter plot shows relationships between two variables, while a bar chart compares amounts across categories.
Click the chart, then click Chart Design and select Change Chart Type. The panel on the right shows all available types. The top section shows the most common ones — column, line, pie, bar, area, and scatter. Below that are less common types like stock charts, surface charts, and radar charts. Click the type you want, and Excel shows you the subtypes available within that category.
For example, if you choose Column, you will see options for clustered columns, stacked columns, and 100% stacked columns. Each subtype arranges the same data differently. Click the one that best shows what you want to communicate, then click OK at the bottom of the panel.
Undoing a style change you do not want
If you change the style or type and decide it does not work, press Ctrl+Z on your keyboard to undo. You can undo multiple times to go back several steps. If you want to redo a change you just undid, press Ctrl+Y.
You can also click the Undo button in the top left corner of Excel — it looks like a curved arrow pointing left. A dropdown arrow next to it shows your recent actions so you can jump back to any of them at once.
Changing colors and formatting without changing the type
The Chart Styles presets in the Chart Design tab change colors and fonts quickly, but you can also customize individual elements. Click the chart to select it, then right-click a specific part — the bars, the legend, the title, or the background — and choose Format [Element Name]. A panel opens on the right with options for that element only.
For example, right-click a bar in a column chart and select Format Data Series. You can now change the fill color, add a border, change the transparency, or adjust the gap width between bars. Right-click the chart title and select Format Chart Title to change its font, size, color, or alignment.
These detailed changes let you match your chart to a company color scheme, a presentation theme, or your own preferences without affecting the data or the chart structure.
Saving a custom style for future charts
If you create a chart style you like and want to use it again on other charts, you can save it as a template. After you have formatted your chart the way you want it, right-click the chart and select Save as Template. Excel asks you to name it and stores it in your templates folder.
The next time you create a new chart, you can explore this template when ready. Click the chart, go to Chart Design, select Change Chart Type, and at the bottom of the panel you will see a Templates section. Click your saved template to explore all the formatting at once.
Common chart types and when to use each one
A column chart compares values across categories — sales by region, revenue by quarter, or survey responses by age group. Bars are vertical, making it straightforward to read category labels below them. A bar chart is the same idea but with horizontal bars, useful when category names are long.
A line chart shows trends over time — stock prices, temperature changes, or website traffic by day. Multiple lines can show how different items trend together. A pie chart shows parts of a whole — market share, budget allocation, or survey percentages — but only works well with a few categories (three to five is ideal).
A scatter plot shows the relationship between two variables — height versus weight, study hours versus test scores, or advertising spend versus sales. An area chart is like a line chart but fills the space below the line, useful for showing cumulative totals or stacked values over time.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I change a chart style without selecting the chart first?
No. You must click the chart once to select it before the Chart Design tab appears in the ribbon. Once selected, you will see a border around the chart and the tab becomes available. If you do not see the Chart Design tab, click the chart again to make sure it is selected.
What if I change the chart type and my data does not look right?
Press Ctrl+Z to undo and try a different type. Some data shapes work better with certain chart types — for example, a pie chart with too many slices becomes hard to read, and a line chart with only two data points looks incomplete. Undo and choose a type that matches your data structure.
Do chart style changes affect the numbers in my spreadsheet?
No. Changing the chart style, type, colors, or formatting does not change any data in your cells. The chart is a visual representation only. Your original numbers stay the same whether the chart is a column, line, or pie.
Can I explore a style to multiple charts at once?
No. You must select and style each chart individually. However, if you create a custom style you like, you can save it as a template and explore it to new charts quickly, which saves time if you have many charts to format.
Where do I find the Chart Design tab if it is not showing?
Click the chart once. The Chart Design tab should appear in the ribbon at the top. If it does not, make sure you clicked the chart itself, not a cell next to it. The chart should have a border around it when selected. If you still do not see the tab, try clicking a different part of the chart.