The following is the list of queries addressed in this article:


  1. How to customize the formatting options in the chart?
  2. How to save the chart as a template and re-use it in any other Excel file?
  3. How to add labels for the target?
  4. How to modify the marker shape/size/color for the target?


How to customize the formatting options in the chart?




How to save the chart as a template and re-use it in any other Excel file?


1. Right-click on the chart and select "Save as Template"


This opens a dialog box, assign a name to your chart template, and click "Save". This saves the chart in a .crtx format


2. From our Instant Chart Maker file, Copy the data table (CTRL+C) and paste it (CTRL+V) into your chosen Excel file. 

For this chart, choose all the series and do the copy, and paste.


3. Enter your information in the data table. Add or remove rows as needed. 

 


4. Select the columns required to build the chart, for this choose all - the category and the actual and the target value (numeric value) columns in that order.


5. Go to Insert and choose to see All Recommended Charts



This opens up a dialog box, go to All Charts and click on the Templates folder. Here, you'll find all the charts you have saved in step 1, choose the one that is relevant to the data and click "Ok".


6. That's it, your chart gets populated with the data from your Excel file and is totally independent of the Instant Chart Maker template file.


- Chart title and Axis titles:  Using a saved template to build your chart does not usually bring the Chart title and axis titles. Read this article to add these elements to your chart.



How do I add labels for the target?


The default column chart with multiple targets has labels only for the Actual values. To add labels for the target lines:

1. Click on the chart, press CTRL+1 to open the format pane.

2. From the drop-down, choose the "TARGET" series


3. Use the "+" from the chart to add data labels


4. Click on the labels and from the label options, position them as needed.



With this labels to the target series is also added:


How do I modify the marker shape/size/color for the target?


To achieve this:


1. Click on the chart, press CTRL+1 to open the format pane.

2. From the drop-down, choose the "TARGET" series


3. Go to fil & line, and then to the Marker options:

a. To change the line shape:

Choose from the list of marker options available,


b.  and modify the size as shown: 


c. Modify color from the Fill and Border color (if needed) as shown here:


With this, the marker is changed as needed: