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 rename the performance context (poor average, good)? 
  4. How to modify the colors of each series?
  5. How to modify the actual series color and size?
  6. How to increase or decrease the number of context ranges?


Before that, please check our detailed YouTube video, explaining four different scenarios :

1. Components of a total

2. Change from a total to another

3. With subtotals

4. Negative cumulative totals



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. For the waterfall chart built using a column chart, we recommend using the .crtx file you have received from the product bundle.


2. With the purchase of the Instant Chart Maker template, you'd have received a ZIP file of all 32 charts as a .crtx file. 

3. From this, copy and paste the C031 Waterfall Chart (column chart) template in the path meant for the Microsoft Charts template (usually ends with \Microsoft\Templates\Charts)


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


5. 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)


6. Select the required column for chart building - here they are TOTAL, START, END, CONNECTOR, POS & NEG LABELS


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



8. 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, choose the waterfall chart and click "OK".


How to modify colors for the positive, negative, or total series?



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

2. From the drop-down, choose the series you'd want to change the colors. That is, choose "TOTAL" for total series, Up-Bars 2 for the positive series or the Down-Bars 2 for the negative series.


3. Say, we are modifying the "TOTAL" series, choose it from the drop-down.


4. Under fill & line, modify the fill color as need be.


5. With this, the modified chart is,