The fastest way to change what your chart shows

To change a chart in Excel, right-click on the chart itself and select Edit Data or Change Chart Type from the menu. If you want to swap out the data the chart is reading, click the chart once to select it, then go to the Chart Design tab at the top and choose Select Data. This opens a dialog where you can add new data ranges, remove old ones, or point the chart to a completely different table.

The method you use depends on what you're changing. If the numbers in your original table have updated and you want the chart to reflect those changes automatically, you don't need to do anything—Excel updates the chart in real time. If you want to show a different set of data entirely, or change the chart type from a bar chart to a line chart, you'll use the steps above.

Key Takeaways

  • Right-click the chart and select Edit Data to change which cells the chart reads from.
  • Use the Chart Design tab to access Select Data, where you can add or remove data series and adjust axis labels.
  • To change from one chart type to another (bar to line, pie to column), right-click and choose Change Chart Type.
  • Excel updates charts automatically when the underlying numbers change, so you only need to edit the chart if you're pointing it at different data.

Changing the data range a chart reads from

Click once on the chart to select it. You'll see a border around it with small squares at the corners and edges. Now click the Chart DesignSelect Data—click it.

A dialog box opens with two sections: Legend Entries (Series) on the left and Horizontal (Category) Axis Labels on the right. The left section shows each data series your chart is using. If you want to add a new series, click Add and then type or select the range of cells you want to include. If you want to remove a series, click its name and then click Remove.

The right section controls the labels along the bottom or left edge of your chart (depending on chart type). To change these labels, click Edit under Horizontal (Category) Axis Labels and select the cells containing the labels you want to use. When you're done, click OK to close the dialog and explore the changes.

Switching between chart types

Right-click directly on the chart. A menu appears with several options. Look for Change Chart Type and click it. A dialog opens showing all available chart types: Column, Line, Pie, Bar, Area, XY (Scatter), Stock, Surface, Radar, and Combo.

Click the type you want on the left side. Subtypes appear on the right—for example, if you choose Column, you'll see options for clustered columns, stacked columns, and 100% stacked columns. Select the subtype that matches what you want to show, then click OK. Excel converts your chart when ready.

Not all data works well in all chart types. If you switch a pie chart to a line chart, for example, Excel will display the data, but a line chart may not be the clearest way to show it. If the result doesn't look right, you can undo the change by pressing Ctrl+Z (or Cmd+Z on Mac) and try a different type.

Editing chart titles and labels

Double-click the chart to enter edit mode—the chart border will change color and the ribbon will show chart-specific tabs. Now you can click directly on any text in the chart: the title, axis labels, or legend. When you click text, it becomes editable. Type your new text and press Enter.

To edit the main title, double-click it. A text box appears around it and you can type a new title. To change the label on the horizontal axis (the bottom), double-click that label. The same goes for the vertical axis (the left or right side, depending on your chart type).

When you're finished editing, click outside the chart to exit edit mode. The changes stay in place.

Resizing and moving a chart

Click the chart once to select it. You'll see small squares around the border. To resize, click and drag any of these squares. Dragging a corner square resizes the chart while keeping its proportions; dragging a side or top/bottom square stretches it in one direction.

To move the chart to a different location on your worksheet, click and drag the chart itself (not the border squares). The cursor will change to a four-way arrow, showing you can move it. Drag it to the new spot and release.

Updating a chart when your data changes

If the numbers in the cells your chart reads from change, the chart updates automatically. You don't need to do anything. This is one of Excel's most useful features—as long as the chart is still pointing at the right data range, it will always show the current numbers.

If you add new rows or columns to your data table and want the chart to include them, you'll need to update the data range manually. Go back to Chart Design > Select Data and adjust the range to include the new data. After that, the chart will update automatically again whenever those cells change.

Removing or deleting a chart

Click the chart once to select it, then press the Delete key. The chart disappears from your worksheet. If you delete it by accident, press Ctrl+Z (or Cmd+Z on Mac) to undo.

If you want to keep the chart but remove it from view temporarily, you can cut it (Ctrl+X) and paste it elsewhere, or straightforward move it to a different worksheet in the same workbook.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why isn't my chart updating when I change the data?

The chart may be pointing at the wrong data range, or the range may have been deleted. Click the chart, go to Chart Design > Select Data, and check that the data range listed still contains your data. If the range is wrong, edit it to point to the correct cells.

Can I change a chart from one type to another without losing the data?

Yes. Right-click the chart and select Change Chart Type. Excel keeps all the data intact and straightforward displays it in the new chart type. If the new type doesn't work well for your data, you can undo the change or switch to a different type.

How do I add a second data series to an existing chart?

Click the chart, go to Chart Design > Select Data, and click Add under Legend Entries (Series). Select the cells containing the new data series and click OK. The chart will now display both series.

What if I want to change only the chart title, not the data?

Double-click the chart to enter edit mode, then double-click the title text. Type your new title and press Enter. Click outside the chart when you're done.

Can I copy a chart and change one copy without affecting the other?

Yes. Click the chart, press Ctrl+C to copy it, then press Ctrl+V to paste it. The new chart is independent—you can change its data range, type, or appearance without affecting the original.