Adding Text Boxes to Charts

Summary: Need to add a text box to your charting masterpiece? There are a couple of ways you can do so. (This tip works with Microsoft Excel 97, Excel 2000, Excel 2002, Excel 2003, and Excel 2007.)

When you create a chart from your Excel data, you may want to add text boxes to the chart for any number of purposes (copyright statement, explanation, notes, etc.). There are two quick ways you can add a text box.

The first method is to use the Drawing toolbar or, if you are using Excel 2007, the Insert tab of the ribbon. Simply make sure it is displayed, then click the Text Box tool. The mouse pointer changes to crosshairs, and you can click and drag to outline the text box you want created.

The second way to create a text box is to use the Formula bar. Make sure you select any part of your chart except a title or data label. Click in the Formula bar and start typing what you want to appear in the text box. When you press Enter, the text you typed is placed in a text box in the center of the chart. You can then move and resize the text box, as desired.

ExcelTips is your source for cost-effective Microsoft Excel training. This tip (3000) applies to Microsoft Excel versions: 97 | 2000 | 2002 | 2003 | 2007

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Adding Text Boxes to Charts