How to Make Your Excel Charts Look Modern with Simple Tweaks

Excel charts are a great way to show your data, but the default ones can look plain. If you’ve ever wondered how to make your Excel charts look modern with easy tweaks, you’re in the right place. It’s simpler than you think to improve your charts without needing design skills.

Your charts can look more precise & professional with a few easy adjustments. These minor adjustments will make your data appear cleaner and help your visualizations stand out.

We’ll explain how to quickly improve your Excel charts in this guide. These suggestions will give your charts a new, modern appearance whether you’re working on a report or a presentation. Let’s begin!

How to Make Your Excel Charts Look Modern and Professional

Start With the Right Chart: A Key to Success

To make your Excel charts look better, start by choosing the right chart type. No design change can fix the wrong chart. For example- a stacked bar chart is often clearer than a line chart for showing comparisons.

Understanding which Excel chart best suits your data improves understanding of your visuals. Take a little time to learn about different Excel chart types and pick the one that fits your needs.

For example, when comparing sales figures between two companies, like Tesla and Ford, a stacked bar chart can clearly show the differences in their performance.

Pick a Purposeful Palette: Improve Readability

Excel’s default colors are okay, but they don’t always look great. You can make your Excel charts look better by using your own color choices. Pick colors that match your data or brand—this makes your Excel chart easier to read and more professional.

For example, you can use sky blue for Microsoft and dark green for Lenovo. It gives your chart a clean and professional look. You can change the fill color by simply right-clicking on the data series. It’s a small step that makes a big difference.

Add Data Labels (or Callouts): Make Data Easy to Read

A common frustration with charts is having to jump between the bars and the axis to figure out exact values. To make your chart easier to understand, add data labels directly to the chart. Right-click on your chart’s data series and select “Add Data Labels.” Positioning matters, so for a two-series bar chart, place left-side labels at “Inside Base” and right-side labels at “Inside End.” This ensures your labels don’t overlap and are easier to read.

Lose Redundant Axes: Keep It Clean

You can be able to do without the horizontal axis if your chart already has data labels. Keeping it may result in a cluttered chart. Simply choose the axis and hit delete to tidy it up. As a result, your chart will appear more polished and expert.

Use Manual Labels for Categories: Save Space

Vertical axis labels can take up unnecessary space and often don’t add value. Instead, use text boxes to create custom category labels directly above each bar. This will make your chart more compact and visually appealing. To create a text box, go to Insert > Text Box, then link it to the relevant cell in your data table using the formula bar. This ensures the text box updates automatically when your data changes.

Kill the Chart Junk: Simplify Your Design

Cluttered charts can confuse the reader and distract from the data. It’s important to remove unnecessary elements. For example, if you’ve added data labels to your chart, you likely don’t need gridlines. To remove them, click the chart and uncheck Gridlines in the chart options. A cleaner chart makes it easier for your audience to focus on the key information.

Switch the Font: Modernize Your Chart

Excel’s default font, Aptos, can make your chart feel outdated. Switching to a cleaner, more modern font like Bahnschrift can significantly improve the look of your chart. This small change gives your chart a more professional feel, making it stand out. Simply select the chart elements (title, labels, axis text) and change the font to one that fits your desired style.

Add a Subtle Background: Make It Stand Out

While optional, adding a subtle background can help your chart stand out from the rest of your worksheet. Choose a light gray background for a light theme or a dark gray for dark mode. Avoid pure white or black, as they can be too harsh. A soft background creates contrast, making your chart look more polished without taking away from the data.

Never, Ever Use 3-D: Stick to 2-D for Clarity

3-D charts may look nice, but they can distort data and make it hard to compare values. Stick to simple 2D charts for a clearer and more accurate representation of your data. These charts are easier to understand and keep your data looking professional.

By following these simple tweaks, you can take your Excel charts from basic to modern and professional. These small changes can make a big difference in how your data is perceived, helping you create visuals that are both informative and aesthetically pleasing.

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FAQs: How to Make Excel Charts Look Better

1. What is the best chart type for comparing values?
A stacked bar chart is often the best for comparing multiple values side-by-side. It’s easier to read than line charts when you’re showing product comparisons or grouped data.

2. How can I change the chart colors in Excel?
Right-click on the data series, select “Format Data Series,” and choose “Fill” to pick a new color. You can use your brand colors or softer shades for a cleaner look.

3. Should I remove gridlines and axes from my chart?
Yes, if you’re using data labels, you can remove gridlines and the horizontal axis to keep your chart clean and uncluttered. This helps the viewer focus on the actual data.

4. How do I link a text box to a cell in Excel?
Go to Insert > Text Box, click on the box, then type = in the formula bar and select the cell. This makes the text box update automatically when the data changes.

5. Why should I avoid 3D charts in Excel?
3D charts often distort data and make it hard to read. Stick with simple 2D charts for clear, accurate, and professional-looking visualizations.