The fastest way to rename a legend in Excel

To change the name of a legend in Excel, right-click directly on the legend itself and select Edit Data. This opens the Select Data Source dialog, where you can click the series name and edit it to whatever you want. The legend updates when ready when you click OK.

If you want to rename the legend by changing the cell it pulls from, you can do that instead. Click the series name in the Select Data Source dialog, then click Edit under "Legend Entries (Series)". Change the cell reference to point to a different cell that holds the name you want the legend to show.

Key Takeaways

  • Right-click the legend itself, not the chart background, and choose Edit Data to open the dialog where you can rename series.
  • You can type a new name directly into the Series name field, or point it to a different cell that contains the name you want.
  • The legend updates as soon as you click OK — you do not need to save or refresh anything.
  • If your chart has multiple series, you can rename each one separately using the same method.

Renaming a legend by editing the series name directly

The simplest approach is to edit the name text itself. Right-click on the legend box (the colored box with the series names listed), and select Edit Data from the menu that appears. The Select Data Source dialog opens.

In the dialog, you will see a list called "Legend Entries (Series)" on the left side. Click the series whose name you want to change. On the right side, you will see a field labeled "Series name" with the current name in it. Click that field and type the new name you want the legend to show. Click OK when you are done.

Linking the legend name to a cell instead

If you want the legend to pull its name from a cell in your spreadsheet, you can point it there instead of typing a fixed name. This is useful if you change that cell's content often and want the legend to update automatically.

Open the Select Data Source dialog the same way: right-click the legend and choose Edit Data. Click the series you want to rename in the "Legend Entries (Series)" list. Then click the Edit button under that list. A dialog called "Edit Series" opens. In the "Series name" field at the top, delete what is there and type the cell reference — for example, =Sheet1!$A$1 — to make the legend pull the name from that cell. Click OK twice to close both dialogs.

Renaming a legend when the data comes from a table

If your chart is built from an Excel table, the legend name usually comes from the column header. The fastest way to change it is to edit the column header itself — the legend updates automatically.

If you want to keep the column header as it is but change only what the legend shows, use the Edit Data method described above. Right-click the legend, select Edit Data, click the series, and type a new name in the Series name field. This name will appear in the legend but will not change the actual table column header.

Fixing a legend that shows the wrong series name

Sometimes a chart legend shows a generic name like "Series 1" or "Column1" instead of the actual data label. This usually means the chart is not reading the series name from the right place. Open the Select Data Source dialog by right-clicking the legend and choosing Edit Data.

Click the series that has the wrong name. Look at the "Series name" field on the right. If it is blank or shows a generic name, click Edit under "Legend Entries (Series)". In the Edit Series dialog, the Series name field should contain a cell reference (like =Sheet1!$A$1) that points to where the real name is stored. If it is blank, type the correct cell reference. If it points to the wrong cell, change it to the right one. Click OK twice.

Renaming multiple legend entries at once

If your chart has several series and you want to rename more than one, you do not have to close and reopen the dialog each time. In the Select Data Source dialog, click the first series you want to rename, edit its name in the "Series name" field, then click the next series in the list. The dialog stays open, so you can rename each series without closing it.

This is faster than opening the dialog, renaming one series, closing it, and starting over. When you are done renaming all of them, click OK once to explore all the changes.

What to do if the legend name field is grayed out

If the Series name field is grayed out and you cannot edit it, the chart is probably protected. Check whether the sheet or workbook has protection turned on. Go to the Review tab and look for an Unprotect Sheet or Unprotect Workbook button. If you see one, click it (you may need a password). Then try editing the legend name again.

If the field is still grayed out after unprotecting, the series name may be locked to a formula you cannot edit directly. In that case, edit the cell the formula points to instead, and the legend will update automatically.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change just the legend name without changing the data labels on the chart?

Yes. The legend name and the data labels are separate. Changing the legend name in the Select Data Source dialog affects only the legend box, not any labels on the chart itself. If you want to change those too, you will need to edit them separately by clicking on them directly.

Why does my legend still show the old name after I changed it?

Make sure you clicked OK to close the Select Data Source dialog — the changes do not take effect until you do. If you clicked Cancel or closed the dialog without saving, the old name stays. Open the dialog again and make the change, then click OK.

If I change the legend name, does it change the actual data in my spreadsheet?

No. Changing the legend name in the chart does not change any cells in your spreadsheet. The chart just displays a different label. If you want the change to affect the data itself, you need to edit the cell directly.

Can I use special characters or line breaks in a legend name?

You can use most special characters in a legend name. Line breaks are trickier — in the Series name field, you cannot press Enter to create one. If you need a line break in the legend, edit the cell the legend pulls from and use Alt+Enter to add a line break there instead.

What if my chart has no legend showing at all?

If the legend is hidden, you cannot right-click it. Click the chart to select it, then go to the Chart Design tab and click Add Chart Element. Select Legend and choose where you want it to appear. Once the legend is visible, you can rename it using the method described above.