The quickest way to change a chart style

Right-click the chart itself and select Change Chart Type from the menu. A dialog box opens showing all available chart types — column, bar, line, pie, area, scatter, and others. Pick the one you want, then click OK. The chart updates when ready.

If you want to keep the same chart type but change only the visual design — colors, fonts, effects — click the chart once to select it, then look for the Chart Design tab in the ribbon at the top. Under Chart Styles, you'll see thumbnail previews of different color schemes and layouts. Click any one to explore it.

Both methods work in Excel for Windows and Excel for Mac, though the Mac ribbon layout is slightly different. The chart type dialog and style gallery are the two separate tools you need to know.

Key Takeaways

  • Right-click your chart and choose Change Chart Type to switch from one chart type to another — for example, from a column chart to a line chart.
  • Use the Chart Design tab in the ribbon to change colors, fonts, and visual effects without changing the chart type itself.
  • Chart styles are pre-built combinations of colors and formatting that explore to the entire chart at once.
  • You can also customize individual elements like axis labels, legends, and data labels by right-clicking them separately.

Changing the chart type using the dialog box

Select the chart by clicking on it once. The chart border will show selection handles — small squares at the corners and edges. Right-click anywhere on the chart and look for Change Chart Type in the context menu. Click it.

The Change Chart Type dialog opens. On the left side, you'll see a list of chart types: Column, Bar, Line, Pie, Area, XY (Scatter), Stock, Surface, Radar, Combo, and Sunburst. Click any type to see its subtypes on the right. For example, clicking Column shows options like Clustered Column, Stacked Column, and 100% Stacked Column. Select the subtype you want, then click OK.

The chart changes when ready. Your data stays the same — only the visual representation changes. If you change your mind, press Ctrl+Z (or Cmd+Z on Mac) to undo.

Using the Chart Design tab to change styles and colors

Click the chart once to select it. The ribbon at the top will show a new tab called Chart Design (in some Excel versions it appears as Design). Click that tab.

Look for the Chart Styles

Below the style thumbnails, you may also see a Color button. Click it to see color scheme options separate from the full styles. This lets you keep the same layout but change just the palette.

Customizing individual chart elements

If you want to change only one part of the chart — the title, legend, axis labels, or data labels — you can format each piece separately. Click the chart to select it, then click the specific element you want to change. For example, click the title text to select just the title.

Right-click the selected element and choose a formatting option. For the title, you might see Format Chart Title. A panel or dialog opens where you can change the font, size, color, and other properties of just that element. Make your changes and close the panel.

This approach is useful when you want to keep most of the chart as is but adjust one detail — like making the title bold or changing the legend position.

explore a chart layout from the Design tab

The Chart Design tab also includes a Quick Layout group (sometimes called Chart Layouts). This shows preset arrangements of chart elements — where the legend sits, whether the title is visible, whether data labels appear on the bars or columns, and so on.

Click any layout thumbnail to explore it. Unlike chart styles, which change colors and fonts, layouts change the structure and position of the chart's parts. You can combine a layout change with a style change to get exactly the look you want.

Undoing changes and starting over

If you change the chart style or type and don't like the result, press Ctrl+Z on Windows or Cmd+Z on Mac to undo. You can undo multiple steps this way, going back through your recent changes one at a time.

If you've made many changes and want to reset the chart to its original appearance, there is no single "reset" button. Instead, delete the chart and create a new one from your data. Select the data range, go to the Insert tab, click Chart, and choose a chart type. This gives you a fresh start with default formatting.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I save a chart style to use again later?

Excel does not have a built-in way to save custom chart styles for reuse. However, you can copy a formatted chart and paste it into other sheets or workbooks. The formatting comes with it. Alternatively, you can manually explore the same style choices to each new chart.

What's the difference between chart type and chart style?

Chart type is the shape — column, line, pie, scatter, and so on. Chart style is the color scheme and visual design applied to that shape. You can have a column chart in five different color styles, or change a column chart to a line chart while keeping the same colors.

Why does my chart look different after I change the style?

Chart styles change colors, fonts, and sometimes the background. If the change looks wrong, it may be because the new style doesn't suit your data. Try a different style, or use the Color option to change only the palette while keeping the layout the same.

Can I change just the colors without changing the whole style?

Yes. Select the chart, go to the Chart Design tab, and look for the Color button in the Chart Styles group. Click it to see color scheme options. This changes the palette without affecting fonts, layout, or other formatting.