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How to Create a Chart in Excel Using Shortcut Keys

Quickly add, modify, or delete a chart

By Ted French Ted French Writer Former Lifewire writer Ted French is a Microsoft Certified Professional who teaches and writes about spreadsheets and spreadsheet programs. lifewire's editorial guidelines Updated on February 8, 2021 Tweet Share Email Tweet Share Email MS Office Excel Word Powerpoint Outlook

What to Know

Create a chart on a new worksheet: Select the data you want to use in the chart, then press the F11 key on the keyboard.Add a chart to the current worksheet: Select the data, press and hold the Alt key (or the Option key on a Mac), then press the F1 key.Change the chart style: Select the chart, go to the Chart Tools Design tab, select Change Chart Type, then select a chart type. This article explains how to use keyboard shortcuts to make charts in Excel. Instructions apply to Excel 2019, 2016, 2013, 2010, 2007, Excel for Mac, and Excel for Microsoft 365.

Add a Quick Chart to Your Worksheet or Workbook

The quick chart keyboard shortcut adds a commonly used chart to the current worksheet or to a separate worksheet in the current workbook. Here's how to add a new chart to a new worksheet in an existing workbook: Select the data you want to use in the chart. Press the F11 key on your keyboard. A chart is created and added to a separate worksheet in the current workbook. If the default settings haven't been changed, a column chart is created by pressing F11. Mac users may need to hold down the Fn key while pressing any function keys, such as F1. Additionally, some functions, such as F11, may not work unless macOS hotkeys, such as Expose, are first disabled. As well as adding a copy of the chart to a separate worksheet, that same chart can be added to the current worksheet by using different keyboard shortcut keys. Here's how to add a chart to the same worksheet: Select the data you want to use in the chart. Press and hold the Alt key. If you are on a Mac, substitute the Option key. Press the F1 key. A new chart is created and added to your current worksheet, alongside your data.

Change the Chart Type

If pressing F11 or Alt+F1 produces a chart that isn't to your liking, change the chart with the help of built-in templates. Here's how to change the chart type: Select the chart. Select the Chart Tools Design tab. Select Change Chart Type. Select the type of chart you'd like to use. Select the style of the chart. Select OK when you're done.

Create and Save Chart Templates

If you want use a predefined chart style, create a chart that uses the chart style, colors, scale settings, and font type you want. Then, save the chart as a template. Follow these steps to save your new chart template: Right-click on the chart to open a context menu. Choose Save as Template to open the ​Save Chart Template dialog box. Enter a name for the template in the File name text box. Select Save to save the template and close the dialog box. The chart template file is saved as a .crtx file in the C:\Documents and Settings\\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Templates\Charts folder.

Delete a Chart Template

If you don't need a chart template you created, delete it to remove it from your list of templates in Excel. To delete a chart template: Select the Chart Tools Design tab. Select Change Chart Type to open the Change Chart Type dialog box. Select Templates to see a list of your chart templates. Select Mange Templates to open the file manager showing the saved chart templates. Right-click on the chart template you want to delete and select Delete. Was this page helpful? Thanks for letting us know! Get the Latest Tech News Delivered Every Day Subscribe Tell us why! Other Not enough details Hard to understand Submit More from Lifewire How to Create Exploding Pie Charts in Excel How to Use Google Sheets How to Create a Report in Excel How to Create a Histogram in Excel for Windows or Mac How to Make a Schedule in Excel Make a High-Low-Close Stock Market Chart in Excel How to Find and Use Excel's Free Flowchart Templates How to Hide and Unhide Columns, Rows, and Cells in Excel How to Create an 8 Column Chart in Excel Create and Use Email Templates in Outlook How to Plan and Create WordPerfect Templates How to Move Around and Between Worksheet Tabs in Excel How to Save and Use Messages as Templates in Apple Mail How to Create Your Own Certificates With Word Templates How to Create a Pie Chart on a PowerPoint Slide How to Rename a Worksheet in Excel Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up By clicking “Accept All Cookies”, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts. Cookies Settings Accept All Cookies