More Formatting Options

More Formatting Options

Explore the advanced formatting options to gain maximum control of the look and feel of your chart. 

When to use

We use advanced formatting options whenever we want to get very detailed about the formatting we are applying to each chart element. 

Instructions

In this lesson, we are going to continue exploring formatting options.

Aside from the methods we have already looked at, we can also apply chart formatting using the Format Pane. The Format Pane contains more advanced and detailed options for formatting chart elements.

The Format Pane

• Click on the Chart Area (or another element of your choosing).
• Right-click and choose Format Chart Area.

Note: The menu item will change depending on the chart element you are formatting. For example, right-click on the legend and the option we see is Format Legend.

A pane will open on the right-hand side.

By default, this pane is docked to the right-hand side of the screen.

We can move this pane by hovering our mouse over the header until we see the double-headed cross. Click and drag the pane to the left.

The formatting options are categorized into Chart Options and Text Options.

We then have sub-categories: Fill & Line, Effects, and Size & Properties.

Underneath each sub-category are numerous options for formatting our chart element such as changing the color, the border, adjusting the size, changing the gap width, etc.

It’s worth having a thorough look through all available options so you are familiar.

Any of these options can be combined with formatting options on the Home ribbon such as Bold and Underline.

Hints & tips

• To re-dock the Format Pane, drag the pane all the way over to the right-hand side of the screen until it snaps into place.