{"id":71272,"date":"2021-12-27T11:22:00","date_gmt":"2021-12-27T00:22:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/elements.blog-cms.envato.net\/?p=38700"},"modified":"2025-11-11T17:47:22","modified_gmt":"2025-11-11T06:47:22","slug":"charts-in-microsoft-powerpoint","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/elements.envato.com\/learn\/charts-in-microsoft-powerpoint","title":{"rendered":"How to Make Great PPT Charts &amp; Graphs in Microsoft PowerPoint (+Video)"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/business.tutsplus.com\/tutorials\/how-to-make-great-charts-in-microsoft-powerpoint--cms-28570#page-body\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><\/a>&#8220;Visual learners&#8221; use graphics to understand the world.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>It makes perfect sense that it&#8217;s easier to look at PowerPoint charts or graphs and draw conclusions than work through an oversized spreadsheet. I think of PowerPoint charts as the alternative to messy lists of data.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/elements.envato.com\/infographic-powerpoint-GXHXQ7\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"850\" height=\"514\" src=\"https:\/\/elements.envato.com\/learn\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/spreadsheet-v-pie.jpg\" alt=\"Infographic Powerpoint\n\" class=\"wp-image-84836\" srcset=\"https:\/\/elements.envato.com\/learn\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/spreadsheet-v-pie.jpg 850w, https:\/\/elements.envato.com\/learn\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/spreadsheet-v-pie-300x181.jpg 300w, https:\/\/elements.envato.com\/learn\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/spreadsheet-v-pie-768x464.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 850px) 100vw, 850px\" \/><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Compare the spreadsheet on the left to the pie chart. Looking at the relative sizes of the pieces of the chart makes it easy to determine our best and worst quarters of sales.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>With presentations, don&#8217;t forget about visual learners. If our audience is full of visual learners, you need PowerPoint graphs to drive the key points of a presentation. A few well-placed <a href=\"https:\/\/elements.envato.com\/presentation-templates\/graphs\/compatible-with-powerpoint\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"external noopener\">PPT charts and graphics<\/a> will ensure your audience understands your important points.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>PowerPoint makes it easy to create charts. <a rel=\"external noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/graphicriver.net\/graphics-with-charts-in-presentation-templates\/powerpoint-templates\" target=\"_blank\">Build and customize PowerPoint charts and graphs<\/a> right inside the app.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In this tutorial, learn how to make a chart in Microsoft PowerPoint. Instead of overwhelming your audience with a spreadsheet, show them PowerPoint graphs that summarize your findings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">How to Quickly Make a Chart in PowerPoint (Watch &amp; Learn &#8211; Video)<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Are you ready to start learning about PowerPoint charts and PowerPoint graphs? Watch this quick screencast to find out what you need to know to get started with charts in PPT:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe title=\"How to Make PPT Charts and Graphs in PowerPoint\" width=\"500\" height=\"281\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/fqb-N4lwKPo?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>To learn even more about using charts and graphs in PowerPoint, study the complete written tutorial below.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">5 Effective PowerPoint Chart &amp; Graph Templates from Envato Elements<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>PowerPoint has built-in charting tools that make it easy to tell stories with your data. But what&#8217;s even better is when you use advanced PowerPoint chart and graph presentation templates.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>That&#8217;s where <strong>Envato Elements <\/strong>comes into play. It&#8217;s an all-you-can-download service for creatives that unlocks more than 4,000 templates for PowerPoint presentations, including <a href=\"https:\/\/elements.envato.com\/presentation-templates\/graphs\/compatible-with-powerpoint\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"external noopener\">advanced templates for PPT charts and graphs<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>It&#8217;s not that PowerPoint can&#8217;t do charts and graphs on its own. But these PowerPoint chart templates are better and more eye-catching than the built-in options. Let&#8217;s learn more:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">1. <a href=\"https:\/\/elements.envato.com\/organizational-data-chart-presentation-4NDRK9\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"external noopener\">Organizational &amp; Data Chart Presentation<\/a><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/elements.envato.com\/organizational-data-chart-presentation-4NDRK9\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"850\" height=\"523\" src=\"https:\/\/elements.envato.com\/learn\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/org-data-chart.jpg\" alt=\"Organizational &amp; Data Chart Presentation\n\" class=\"wp-image-84838\" srcset=\"https:\/\/elements.envato.com\/learn\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/org-data-chart.jpg 850w, https:\/\/elements.envato.com\/learn\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/org-data-chart-300x185.jpg 300w, https:\/\/elements.envato.com\/learn\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/org-data-chart-768x473.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 850px) 100vw, 850px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>This PowerPoint charts template has advanced options that bring your data to life. Best of all, it matches the many color schemes that are included in the download package. Use this to bring some life to your chart and graphs in PowerPoint.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">2. <a href=\"https:\/\/elements.envato.com\/finance-economy-infographic-for-powerpoint-PY342R\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"external noopener\">Finance &amp; Economics Infographics<\/a><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/elements.envato.com\/finance-economy-infographic-for-powerpoint-PY342R\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"850\" height=\"523\" src=\"https:\/\/elements.envato.com\/learn\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/finance-economy.jpg\" alt=\"Finance &amp; Economy Infographic for Powerpoint\n\" class=\"wp-image-84839\" srcset=\"https:\/\/elements.envato.com\/learn\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/finance-economy.jpg 850w, https:\/\/elements.envato.com\/learn\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/finance-economy-300x185.jpg 300w, https:\/\/elements.envato.com\/learn\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/finance-economy-768x473.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 850px) 100vw, 850px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Finance and economics rule the world, but they can be difficult to understand. So, make sure that you use a template like this to condense challenging concepts down into easy-to-understand visuals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">3. <a href=\"https:\/\/elements.envato.com\/corporate-report-powerpoint-template-V38FAA\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"external noopener\">Corporate Report PowerPoint Template<\/a><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/elements.envato.com\/corporate-report-powerpoint-template-V38FAA\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"850\" height=\"523\" src=\"https:\/\/elements.envato.com\/learn\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/corporate-report.jpg\" alt=\"Corporate Report PowerPoint Template\n\" class=\"wp-image-84840\" srcset=\"https:\/\/elements.envato.com\/learn\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/corporate-report.jpg 850w, https:\/\/elements.envato.com\/learn\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/corporate-report-300x185.jpg 300w, https:\/\/elements.envato.com\/learn\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/corporate-report-768x473.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 850px) 100vw, 850px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Companies periodically issue reports that update the public and investors on the progress. use a template like this one to showcase your company&#8217;s progress with data and visuals that help drive understanding of your trends.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">4. <a href=\"https:\/\/elements.envato.com\/charts-powerpoint-presentation-THVKXL\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"external noopener\">Charts PowerPoint Presentation<\/a><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/elements.envato.com\/charts-powerpoint-presentation-THVKXL\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"850\" height=\"523\" src=\"https:\/\/elements.envato.com\/learn\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/charts-infographics-pptx.jpg\" alt=\"Charts Powerpoint Presentation\n\" class=\"wp-image-84842\" srcset=\"https:\/\/elements.envato.com\/learn\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/charts-infographics-pptx.jpg 850w, https:\/\/elements.envato.com\/learn\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/charts-infographics-pptx-300x185.jpg 300w, https:\/\/elements.envato.com\/learn\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/charts-infographics-pptx-768x473.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 850px) 100vw, 850px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Infographics are particularly useful for describing the steps in a process with visuals. You can take basically any set of simple steps and dress them up with an informative infographic. Use this template to choose from many infographics and charts in PPT to show your data and systems off.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">5. <a href=\"https:\/\/elements.envato.com\/diagrams-for-powerpoint-template-B8HL4X\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"external noopener\">Diagrams for PowerPoint<\/a><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/elements.envato.com\/diagrams-for-powerpoint-template-B8HL4X\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"850\" height=\"523\" src=\"https:\/\/elements.envato.com\/learn\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/diagrams-for-powerpoint.jpg\" alt=\"Diagrams for PowerPoint Template\n\" class=\"wp-image-84843\" srcset=\"https:\/\/elements.envato.com\/learn\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/diagrams-for-powerpoint.jpg 850w, https:\/\/elements.envato.com\/learn\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/diagrams-for-powerpoint-300x185.jpg 300w, https:\/\/elements.envato.com\/learn\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/diagrams-for-powerpoint-768x473.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 850px) 100vw, 850px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Rounding out our selections, this PowerPoint charts template has both graphs and infographics that can help you drive stories with data. Whether you use it to show numeric figures or the steps in a sequence, this template has over 2,000 unique slides to do it all.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Quick Tip: Use a PowerPoint Template With Great Charts<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>To save time, you can work with ready-made charts, infographics, and premade styles with a <a rel=\"external noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/elements.envato.com\/presentation-templates\/graphs\/compatible-with-powerpoint\" target=\"_blank\">professional PowerPoint template<\/a>. For one with dozens of professional PPT charts and graphs built in, check out the <a rel=\"external noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/elements.envato.com\/infographic-powerpoint-GXHXQ7\" target=\"_blank\">popular Infographic PowerPoint template<\/a>:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/elements.envato.com\/infographic-powerpoint-GXHXQ7\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"850\" height=\"567\" src=\"https:\/\/elements.envato.com\/learn\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/Infographic20PowerPoint20Template.jpeg\" alt=\"Infographic PowerPoint template\" class=\"wp-image-84846\" srcset=\"https:\/\/elements.envato.com\/learn\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/Infographic20PowerPoint20Template.jpeg 850w, https:\/\/elements.envato.com\/learn\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/Infographic20PowerPoint20Template-300x200.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/elements.envato.com\/learn\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/Infographic20PowerPoint20Template-768x512.jpeg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 850px) 100vw, 850px\" \/><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/elements.envato.com\/infographic-powerpoint-GXHXQ7\" target=\"_blank\">Infographic PowerPoint template<\/a> &#8211; with great PPT charts and infographics.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Now let&#8217;s dig into the written part of this tutorial to learn more about working with PowerPoint charts. Download the template above to follow along.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">How to Make Your First Chart in PowerPoint<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>To insert your first PowerPoint chart, create a blank slide. Then, find the <strong>Insert <\/strong>tab on PowerPoint&#8217;s ribbon menu. Click on the <strong>Chart <\/strong>icon to launch the Insert Chart menu.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"463\" height=\"158\" src=\"https:\/\/elements.envato.com\/learn\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/insert-chart.gif\" alt=\"insert chart menu\" class=\"wp-image-84848\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>The <strong>Insert <\/strong><strong>Chart <\/strong>menu will open with a variety of chart templates. On the left side, you&#8217;ll see a variety of PowerPoint chart types, such as <strong>Column<\/strong>,<strong> Line, Pie, Bar<\/strong> and more.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Start by clicking on a chart type on the left side. You&#8217;ll want to consider the type of data you&#8217;re showcasing when choosing a chart type. Here are a few common PowerPoint chart types, and the type of data they&#8217;re used to show:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Column<\/strong>. Column charts are a classic way to show values, with vertical lines showing values based on their height.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Line<\/strong>. Line charts are used to show data over a series of time, and how the value fluctuates over a time series.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Pie<\/strong>. Pie charts show parts of the whole as slices, and help you relate the individual pieces to the total.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Bar<\/strong>. Bar charts are the horizontal counterpart to column charts, showing values as bars running from left to right.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Area<\/strong>. Area charts are like line charts but highlight the area underneath the line as a sum.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>There are several other advanced charts (like Histograms and Waterfalls) inside of PowerPoint, so try them out for more advanced charting.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"850\" height=\"478\" src=\"https:\/\/elements.envato.com\/learn\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/Adding20chart.jpg\" alt=\"advanced charts\" class=\"wp-image-84850\" srcset=\"https:\/\/elements.envato.com\/learn\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/Adding20chart.jpg 850w, https:\/\/elements.envato.com\/learn\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/Adding20chart-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/elements.envato.com\/learn\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/Adding20chart-768x432.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 850px) 100vw, 850px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">On the left side of the Insert Chart menu, you can select a variety of chart categories.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>After you&#8217;ve selected a chart category, there are several variants of those PPT charts available at the top. Click on one of the thumbnails above to select a more specific chart style.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Input Data Into PowerPoint<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>No matter which chart style you choose, you&#8217;ll need to input data into PowerPoint to bring a chart to life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>These days, you really can&#8217;t only install just one app from the Microsoft Office suite. They work too well together. You can easily see why after inserting a chart, as an Excel spreadsheet window opens inside of PowerPoint to add your data. That&#8217;s useful.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>For my example, I&#8217;m going to create a pie chart. After inserting the chart, you&#8217;ll see an Excel spreadsheet window open to add your data in.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"850\" height=\"344\" src=\"https:\/\/elements.envato.com\/learn\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/Data20in20Excel.jpg\" alt=\"spreadsheet window\" class=\"wp-image-84851\" srcset=\"https:\/\/elements.envato.com\/learn\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/Data20in20Excel.jpg 850w, https:\/\/elements.envato.com\/learn\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/Data20in20Excel-300x121.jpg 300w, https:\/\/elements.envato.com\/learn\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/Data20in20Excel-768x311.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 850px) 100vw, 850px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">An embedded Excel window in PowerPoint allows you to log your data.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Depending on the type of chart you chose, your spreadsheet may look different than my example. A stacked bar chart, for example, might have multiple columns with numeric values inside of the spreadsheet.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Here&#8217;s the reason I love using PowerPoint to build charts: as I input the data, the chart will update in real time. Each time that I change the values in the spreadsheet, the chart will change to align with my data.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"850\" height=\"413\" src=\"https:\/\/elements.envato.com\/learn\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/ezgif.com-optimize.gif\" alt=\"real time updates of data\" class=\"wp-image-84853\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">PowerPoint Charts update in real time.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>What if we wanted to add another slice to our PowerPoint pie chart? In this case, we&#8217;ll need to add another row to our data. Grab the handles of the box around your data and pull it down to include other rows.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In the screenshot below, you can see what I mean. I clicked on the purple box (first column) and pulled it down two rows to add more months to my data. Then, I pulled down the values column (in blue) to include other amounts in the pie chart.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"850\" height=\"373\" src=\"https:\/\/elements.envato.com\/learn\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/Expanding20chart20with20new20data.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-84854\" srcset=\"https:\/\/elements.envato.com\/learn\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/Expanding20chart20with20new20data.jpg 850w, https:\/\/elements.envato.com\/learn\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/Expanding20chart20with20new20data-300x132.jpg 300w, https:\/\/elements.envato.com\/learn\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/Expanding20chart20with20new20data-768x337.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 850px) 100vw, 850px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Pull the handles of the boxes down to include other rows in your charts. In this case, adding two rows created two more slices in the pie chart.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>These are the basics of adding data to your PPT charts. PowerPoint starts with basic data populated in a spreadsheet. Change it to include your own data.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"850\" height=\"478\" src=\"https:\/\/elements.envato.com\/learn\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/Edit20data20in20Excel.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-84855\" srcset=\"https:\/\/elements.envato.com\/learn\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/Edit20data20in20Excel.jpg 850w, https:\/\/elements.envato.com\/learn\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/Edit20data20in20Excel-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/elements.envato.com\/learn\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/Edit20data20in20Excel-768x432.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 850px) 100vw, 850px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Right click and choose Edit Data &gt; Edit Data to change the data driving your chart.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>To reopen this spreadsheet view and edit your data, simply right click on the chart and choose <strong>Edit Data. <\/strong>The embedded spreadsheet view will reopen so that you can update the data.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>After you&#8217;ve finished updating your data, we can think about styling it and changing the look and feel of the PowerPoint chart.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Customize Chart Styles in PowerPoint<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>I always master the data in a chart before I begin styling it. But when I&#8217;m finished with building out my charts, PowerPoint has plenty of options to change the look and feel of a chart.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>You can work quickly with PowerPoint chart tools. Here are a few of my favorite ways to style PowerPoint charts with just a few clicks:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">1. Work With PowerPoint Chart Styles<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>With your chart selected, find the <strong>Design <\/strong>button on the PowerPoint ribbon, just under the <strong>Chart Tools <\/strong>tab. No matter which type of chart you&#8217;re working with, there are many preset styles to change the look of your chart in PowerPoint.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Click on one of these styles to apply it to your chart. Many of these will add some shadow or depth to the chart, which can really help your chart stand out. Try out some of these styles for different ways to view the same data.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/elements.envato.com\/infographic-powerpoint-GXHXQ7\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"850\" height=\"478\" src=\"https:\/\/elements.envato.com\/learn\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/Working20with20chart20styles.jpg\" alt=\"Work With PowerPoint Chart Styles\" class=\"wp-image-84857\" srcset=\"https:\/\/elements.envato.com\/learn\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/Working20with20chart20styles.jpg 850w, https:\/\/elements.envato.com\/learn\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/Working20with20chart20styles-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/elements.envato.com\/learn\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/Working20with20chart20styles-768x432.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 850px) 100vw, 850px\" \/><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Click on one of the Chart Styles to try out a slightly different visual variant.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">2. Change Chart Colors in PowerPoint<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Besides styles that add depth or contours to your charts, you can also easily change the color scheme with a couple of clicks within PowerPoint chart tools.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>While you&#8217;re still on the <strong>Chart Tools &gt; Design <\/strong>menu, find the <strong>Change Colors <\/strong>button near the left side of the ribbon.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/elements.envato.com\/infographic-powerpoint-GXHXQ7\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"850\" height=\"478\" src=\"https:\/\/elements.envato.com\/learn\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/Changing20chart20colors.jpg\" alt=\"Change Chart Colors in PowerPoint\" class=\"wp-image-84859\" srcset=\"https:\/\/elements.envato.com\/learn\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/Changing20chart20colors.jpg 850w, https:\/\/elements.envato.com\/learn\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/Changing20chart20colors-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/elements.envato.com\/learn\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/Changing20chart20colors-768x432.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 850px) 100vw, 850px\" \/><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Change the colors of your chart with just a few clicks on the Change Colors menu.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>The built-in color schemes will pair with your presentation. You can also typically select monochromatic styles for something less flashy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">3. Format Chart Area in PowerPoint<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>To really get under the hood with your PowerPoint presentations, right click on the chart and choose <strong>Format Data Point.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In Excel, a panel will open on the right side. This menu has every imaginable feature to customize your charts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/elements.envato.com\/infographic-powerpoint-GXHXQ7\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"850\" height=\"478\" src=\"https:\/\/elements.envato.com\/learn\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/Formatting20chart20data20points.jpg\" alt=\" Format Chart Area in PowerPoint\" class=\"wp-image-84861\" srcset=\"https:\/\/elements.envato.com\/learn\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/Formatting20chart20data20points.jpg 850w, https:\/\/elements.envato.com\/learn\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/Formatting20chart20data20points-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/elements.envato.com\/learn\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/Formatting20chart20data20points-768x432.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 850px) 100vw, 850px\" \/><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Format Chart Area in PowerPoint has many features to work with.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>The good news is that this menu is easy to use and has every feature you could possibly need. Try out some of the self-explanatory options to add <strong>Fill <\/strong>(background color of a chart) or a <strong>Border <\/strong>around the edge of a chart.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>As you can see, it&#8217;s easy to change up the style of your presentation with just a few clicks. Try the built-in styles and color schemes as a way to make your charts in PPT stand out from the rest of your presentation<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What Is a Chart vs. Graph (in PowerPoint)?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The terms <strong>charts <\/strong>and <strong>graphs <\/strong>are used interchangeably, but in fact\u2014they serve different purposes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Charts <\/strong>in PPT don&#8217;t<em> have<\/em> to include numeric values. They can be solely based on showing information in a structured format, like the periodic table of elements for example. A chart is a general term for many types of data, organized in a structured format.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Graphs <\/strong>are typically based on numerical data. For example, a line graph will show data over time or a numeric comparison. In short: graphs are charts, but not all charts in PPT are graphs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Remember:<em> premium templates for PowerPoint can help you create PowerPoint charts and PowerPoint graphs. S<\/em>pend some time thinking about how your data is best shown in a visual and if a chart or graph is more fitting.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Keep Learning More About PowerPoint<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>In this tutorial, you built your first chart in Microsoft PowerPoint. Use well-placed charts in your presentations to break up thick sections of data or bullet points.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Check out our <a rel=\"noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/business.tutsplus.com\/series\/microsoft-powerpoint-templates-ultimate-guide-to-the-best-ppt--cms-1075\" target=\"_self\">Ultimate Guide to the Best PowerPoint Templates<\/a> or jump over to trending <a rel=\"external noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/elements.envato.com\/presentation-templates\/graphs\/compatible-with-powerpoint\" target=\"_blank\">PowerPoint graphs<\/a> and <a rel=\"noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/graphicriver.net\/popular_item\/by_category?category=presentation-templates%2fpowerpoint-templates\" target=\"_self\">best-selling PPT templates<\/a> on Envato Elements or GraphicRiver. Also, if you need more PowerPoint designs to work with that have plenty of great charts and infographics built into them, then browse through the <a href=\"https:\/\/business.tutsplus.com\/articles\/12-best-powerpoint-presentation-templates-with-great-infographic-slides--cms-25379\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">35 Best Infographic PPT Templates<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Don&#8217;t stop learning here. Check out these tutorials to learn more about improving your PowerPoint presentations:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>SmartArt is like charts in PPT but is more focused on data overlaid on top of graphics. Check out <a href=\"https:\/\/business.tutsplus.com\/tutorials\/how-to-get-started-with-smartart-in-powerpoint--cms-28171\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"external noopener\">How to Get Started With Using SmartArt in PowerPoint.<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Animations pair well with charts, and Sven Lenaerts&#8217; <a href=\"https:\/\/business.tutsplus.com\/articles\/powerpoint-animation-tips-and-tricks--cms-27552\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"external noopener\">10 Simple PowerPoint Animation Tips and Tricks<\/a> is the perfect primer on PowerPoint animation.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>If a chart isn&#8217;t the right tool to showcase your data, a table might be a good alternative. Check out <a rel=\"external noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/business.tutsplus.com\/tutorials\/how-to-style-tables-in-powerpoint--cms-28145\" target=\"_blank\">How to Style Tables in PowerPoint in 60 Seconds.<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Make Great Presentations (Free eBook Download)<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>We&#8217;ve got the perfect complement to this tutorial, which will walk you through the complete presentation process. Learn how to write your presentation, design it like a pro, and prepare it to present powerfully.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Download our eBook: <a href=\"https:\/\/tutsplus.com\/presentations-ebook\" target=\"_self\" rel=\"noopener\">The Complete Guide to Making Great Presentations<\/a>. It&#8217;s available for free with a subscription to the Tuts+ Business Newsletter.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/tutsplus.com\/presentations-ebook\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"850\" height=\"500\" src=\"https:\/\/elements.envato.com\/learn\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/eBookPromo_850x500px.jpg\" alt=\"The Complete Guide to Making Great Presentations\" class=\"wp-image-84862\" srcset=\"https:\/\/elements.envato.com\/learn\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/eBookPromo_850x500px.jpg 850w, https:\/\/elements.envato.com\/learn\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/eBookPromo_850x500px-300x176.jpg 300w, https:\/\/elements.envato.com\/learn\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/eBookPromo_850x500px-768x452.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 850px) 100vw, 850px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Design Charts and Graphs in PowerPoint Today<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>A chart or graph can help you tell stories about data or processes easily in PowerPoint. Don&#8217;t forget that you can use <a href=\"https:\/\/elements.envato.com\/presentation-templates\/graphs\/compatible-with-powerpoint\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"external noopener\">advanced PowerPoint charts<\/a> or <a href=\"https:\/\/graphicriver.net\/graphics-with-charts-in-presentation-templates\/powerpoint-templates\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"external noopener\">PowerPoint graphs<\/a> from Envato Elements or GraphicRiver to add even better visuals to your next presentation.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Learn how to create great-looking charts and graphs in Microsoft PowerPoint using this tutorial.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":21,"featured_media":84866,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"inline_featured_image":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[203],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-71272","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-presentation-templates"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/elements.envato.com\/learn\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/71272","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/elements.envato.com\/learn\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/elements.envato.com\/learn\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/elements.envato.com\/learn\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/21"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/elements.envato.com\/learn\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=71272"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/elements.envato.com\/learn\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/71272\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/elements.envato.com\/learn\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/84866"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/elements.envato.com\/learn\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=71272"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/elements.envato.com\/learn\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=71272"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/elements.envato.com\/learn\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=71272"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}