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 modify the width of the stem?
  4. How to modify the circle format (border, fill)?


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. Please note that green colored columns are calculated columns - do not enter any data, they are automatically calculated based on the input columns (Blue colored)


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 columns.


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.


With these steps, your chart is ready:



How to modify the width of the stem?

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

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


3.  In Fill & Line, under Line options, modify the width as needed: Increase for a wider stem, decrease for a narrower stem. 

With this, the chart looks something like this:


How to modify the circle format (border, fill)?


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

2. From the drop-down, choose the CIRCLE series:


3.  Go to Marker options and use the:

a. Marker options Size to increase or decrease the size of the circle

b. Fill color to change the color of the circle and

c. Border color and width to modify the circle border as need be:



The matchstick chart with modified circle is: