How to Change Chart Type in Excel - Practical Guide

Learn how to change chart types in Excel to better represent your data. This skill allows you to switch between column, line, pie, area, scatter, and other chart types without recreating your chart. Mastering chart type changes helps you present data more effectively and choose the visualization that best tells your data story.

Why This Matters

Changing chart types quickly saves time and allows you to experiment with different visualizations to find the most impactful representation for your audience.

Prerequisites

•A spreadsheet with data already organized in rows and columns
•An existing chart created from your data

Step-by-Step Instructions

Select your chart

Click once on the chart to select it; you'll see selection handles (squares) around the chart border.

Open the Chart Design tab

With the chart selected, click the Chart Design tab that appears in the ribbon at the top of Excel.

Click Change Chart Type

In the Chart Design tab, locate and click the Change Chart Type button in the Type group (left side of the ribbon).

Select your new chart type

In the Change Chart Type dialog, click on a chart category (Column, Line, Pie, Area, etc.) from the left panel, then choose a specific subtype from the right.

Apply and confirm

Click OK to apply the new chart type; your chart will instantly convert to the selected type while retaining your data.

Alternative Methods

Right-click context menu

Right-click directly on the chart and select Change Chart Type from the context menu for a faster route to the same dialog.

Chart Design > Edit Data

Use Chart Design > Edit Data to access chart settings and modify the type alongside data adjustments in one workflow.

Tips & Tricks

✓Preview different chart types before committing by hovering over options in the Change Chart Type dialog.
✓Use Column charts for comparing categories, Line charts for trends over time, and Pie charts for showing parts of a whole.
✓Combo charts (combination types) let you mix multiple chart types in a single visualization for complex data stories.

Pro Tips

★Keep your original chart data clean and organized; this makes switching between types seamless and maintains data integrity.
★Use scatter charts to reveal correlations between two continuous variables that column or line charts might miss.
★Combine Change Chart Type with conditional formatting to create dynamic, responsive visualizations that adapt to your audience.

Troubleshooting

Change Chart Type option is grayed out

Ensure you have selected the entire chart object (not just a single element). Click the chart border, not the plot area, and try again.

Chart displays incorrectly after changing type

Check that your data range and series configuration are appropriate for the new chart type. Use Chart Design > Select Data to review and adjust series if needed.

Formatting (colors, labels) disappeared

Some formatting may not transfer between chart types; manually restore colors via Chart Design > Change Colors and re-add labels via Format Data Labels.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change a chart type without losing my data?

Yes, changing the chart type preserves all your underlying data. Only the visual representation changes; your data remains intact and can be reverted by switching back to the original type.

Which chart type is best for comparing multiple categories over time?

A Line chart is ideal for showing trends over time, while a Column chart works better for direct category comparisons. For both, consider a Combo chart that combines lines and columns.

Why doesn't my Pie chart show all data series?

Pie charts only support one data series; if your chart has multiple series, the system displays only the first. To include all series, use a different chart type like Column or Line, or create separate Pie charts.

Can I undo a chart type change?

Yes, press Ctrl+Z immediately after changing the type, or use the Undo button in the Quick Access Toolbar to revert to the previous chart type.