Please Note: This article is written for users of the following Microsoft Excel versions: 97, 2000, 2002, and 2003. If you are using a later version (Excel 2007 or later), this tip may not work for you. For a version of this tip written specifically for later versions of Excel, click here: Turning the Legend On and Off.

Turning the Legend On and Off

Written by Allen Wyatt (last updated March 21, 2026)

When you create a chart in Excel, the Wizard that you follow may create a chart legend, depending on the type of chart you are using. You are not limited to the Wizard's decision, however. You have complete control over whether a legend is displayed on your chart. Follow these steps:

  1. Click once on the legend to select it. Handles should appear around the perimeter of the legend.
  2. Choose Chart Options from the Chart menu. Excel displays the Chart Options dialog box. (See Figure 1.)

    3. Figure 1. The Chart Options dialog box.

  3. Make sure the Legend tab is selected.
  4. Clear the Show Legend check box.
  5. Click on OK.

ExcelTips is your source for cost-effective Microsoft Excel training. This tip (2969) applies to Microsoft Excel 97, 2000, 2002, and 2003. You can find a version of this tip for the ribbon interface of Excel (Excel 2007 and later) here: Turning the Legend On and Off.

Author Bio

Allen Wyatt

With more than 50 non-fiction books and numerous magazine articles to his credit, Allen Wyatt is an internationally recognized author. He is president of Sharon Parq Associates, a computer and publishing services company. ...

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