Show or hide a chart legend or data table

You can easily show or hide the chart legend or data table in Excel by following these simple steps:

1. Show or Hide the Chart Legend

The chart legend displays information about the data series in the chart (e.g., the labels for each color or line on the chart).

To Show or Hide the Legend:

1. Select the Chart: Click on the chart where you want to manage the legend.
2. Go to the Chart Elements Button:
   • Click on the Chart Elements button (the plus sign next to the chart).
3. Check or Uncheck the Legend:
   • To show the legend, check the box next to Legend.
   • To hide the legend, uncheck the box next to Legend.

Alternatively, you can also adjust the legend’s position:

• Click on the legend to select it.
• Then, drag the legend to a new location (e.g., top, bottom, left, or right) within the chart.

To Move the Legend:

1. Click the legend to select it.
2. Drag the legend to your desired position within the chart, or right-click the legend and choose Format Legend to adjust its alignment and placement.

2. Show or Hide the Data Table

The data table displays the actual values of the chart’s data below the chart area. You can add or remove this feature depending on your needs.

To Show or Hide the Data Table:

1. Select the Chart: Click on the chart where you want to manage the data table.
2. Go to the Chart Elements Button:
   • Click on the Chart Elements button (the plus sign next to the chart).
3. Check or Uncheck the Data Table:
   • To show the data table, check the box next to Data Table.
   • To hide the data table, uncheck the box next to Data Table.

To Format the Data Table:

1. After adding the data table, right-click on it and select Format Data Table to adjust the style, colors, and other properties.

3. Using the Chart Tools to Customize Legends and Data Tables

You can also adjust the legend or data table using the Chart Tools:

1. Select the Chart: Click the chart to select it.
2. Go to the Format Tab: Under the Chart Tools section, click on the Format tab.
   • To adjust the legend, click Legend in the Current Selection group, and use the formatting options available.
   • To adjust the data table, click Data Table and format it as needed.

Conclusion

By following these steps, you can easily show or hide the chart legend or data table in Excel. These options are useful for simplifying your chart or providing additional context to your data. You can also move or format these elements to improve the appearance and clarity of your chart.