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 do I modify the colors for target or actual columns?
  4. How do I modify the colors and line type for positive and negative arrows?


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?


Before getting into the steps for saving a chart as a template, please click anywhere on the chart and use the "+" icon to remove the data labels.


Now, follow the steps below:


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. 


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

 


4. Select the columns required to build the chart, for this one, choose - all columns except VARIANCE LABEL, along with headers


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 fully 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 to add data labels, if the chart is built using the .crtx file?


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

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


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


D. Click on the labels and from the format pane, position them on "Inside Base"


E. Repeat the same steps (from B-D) for the "ACTUAL" series

F. Now, choose the "VARIANCE LABEL POSITION" series from the format pane drop-down and use "+" from the chart to add data labels

G. Click on the labels, and in Label Options, uncheck all other options and choose "Value from cells"


H. Select the range of data from the "VARIANCE LABEL" series


I. Click and position the labels "Above"


With this, your chart is ready!


How do I modify the colors for target or actual columns?


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

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


3. In Fill & Line, modify the fill color as need be:


Choose the "ACTUAL" series and repeat the same steps to modify the actual column color.

With this, the modified chart looks as below:


How do I modify the colors and line type for positive and negative arrows?


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

B. From the drop-down, choose the "NEG VARIANCE" Y Error Bars

C. Under Fill & Line, modify the color, width, dash type (for line type) as needed


D. Choose the "POS VARIANCE" Y Error Bars and repeat the above step to modify the positive variance line as needed.


With this, the updated chart looks as below: