5 Ways to Change Excel Chart Sheet Colors Instantly

Microsoft Excel is not just a powerhouse for managing data; it's also an excellent tool for visual data representation through charts. Whether you're preparing a report for a business meeting, academic research, or personal analysis, the way your charts are presented can make a significant impact on your audience. In this comprehensive guide, we'll explore five innovative ways to instantly change the colors of your Excel chart sheets, ensuring your data not only speaks but also looks appealing.

Understanding Excel Chart Types

Before diving into color customization, let’s briefly touch on the types of charts you can create in Excel:

• Column and Bar Charts
• Line and Area Charts
• Pie Charts
• Scatter and Bubble Charts
• Stock Charts
• Surface Charts

Understanding the nature of your data will guide your choice of chart, which in turn, influences how you'll approach color customization for visual appeal and clarity.

Method 1: Using Predefined Color Schemes

Excel offers a variety of predefined color schemes which can be applied to charts instantly:

• Select your chart by clicking anywhere inside it.
• Go to the Design tab under the Chart Tools.
• Click on Change Colors to view a drop-down menu with numerous color schemes.
• Choose a scheme that matches your presentation theme or desired visual effect.

💡 Note: Predefined color schemes are perfect for quick adjustments but might not offer the flexibility needed for very specific branding or data storytelling requirements.

Method 2: Customizing Chart Colors Manually

For more control over chart appearance:

• Right-click on the chart element you wish to color, such as a column or series.
• Select Format Data Series or Format Legend for legend customization.
• In the Fill & Line tab, choose from solid fill, gradient fill, or pattern fill options.
• Use the color picker or enter a specific color code to match your brand or report’s theme.

Method 3: Utilizing Conditional Formatting

To make your charts dynamic and visually engaging:

• Create your chart based on the data range.
• Select the data series in the chart, then go to Home > Conditional Formatting.
• Choose New Rule and set conditions for color changes based on data values.

Conditional formatting can highlight anomalies, trends, or key data points directly in your chart, enhancing its readability and impact.

🔹 Note: While conditional formatting is powerful, overuse can clutter the chart, reducing its effectiveness.

Method 4: Creating a Color-Coded Data Table

If you want your chart to reflect color codes from a related data table:

• Set up your data table with conditional formatting applied to cells based on values.
• Create your chart from this color-coded data table.

Method 5: Using VBA for Dynamic Charting

For advanced users, VBA (Visual Basic for Applications) offers extensive customization:

• Open the VBA editor by pressing Alt + F11.
• Create a subroutine to loop through chart series and set colors dynamically based on data criteria or other variables.

Sub ChangeChartColors()
    Dim chrt As Chart
    Dim ser As Series
    Set chrt = ActiveSheet.ChartObjects(1).Chart

For Each ser In chrt.SeriesCollection
    If ser.Values(1) > 75 Then
        ser.Format.Fill.ForeColor.RGB = RGB(255, 0, 0) ' Red for high values
    ElseIf ser.Values(1) > 50 Then
        ser.Format.Fill.ForeColor.RGB = RGB(255, 255, 0) ' Yellow for medium values
    Else
        ser.Format.Fill.ForeColor.RGB = RGB(0, 255, 0) ' Green for low values
    End If
Next ser


End Sub

As we conclude this journey through Excel chart color customization, remember that the right colors not only make your charts visually appealing but also facilitate a quicker understanding of data insights. From predefined color schemes to dynamic VBA scripting, Excel offers numerous tools to tailor your charts to fit any presentation or analytical need. These techniques, when applied thoughtfully, can transform your data into a compelling story, making your reports stand out in meetings, publications, or personal analysis.

Can I apply custom colors to Excel charts if I use Microsoft 365?

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Yes, all the methods discussed can be applied in Microsoft Excel through Microsoft 365. The interface might look slightly different, but the core functionalities remain the same.

What if I want to colorize a single element within a chart?

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You can right-click on the specific element (like a bar in a bar chart) and choose ‘Format Data Point’. From there, select your desired fill and outline colors.

Is there a way to automate chart colors when data changes?

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Yes, using VBA scripting as demonstrated in Method 5 allows for dynamic color changes based on real-time data alterations or other conditions.