"Create New Chart Template from Selected Excel Chart"

Ever found yourself in a situation where you've created the perfect chart in Excel, but you want to use it as a template for future use? You're not alone. Many Excel users face this challenge, and the good news is, it's quite simple to create a new chart template from an existing one. Let's dive into the step-by-step process.

Before we begin, ensure you have the chart you want to use as a template. If not, create or select the chart you want to duplicate. Now, let's get started.

Duplicating the Existing Chart

Your first step is to duplicate the chart you want to use as a template. This way, you won't lose the original data or formatting.

To duplicate, right-click on the chart and select "Format Chart Area" from the dropdown menu. Then, click on "Copy" in the toolbar that appears. Now, you can paste the chart anywhere in your workbook.

Preparing the Duplicated Chart for Use as a Template

Now that you have a duplicate chart, it's time to prepare it for use as a template. This involves removing any specific data or formatting that you don't want to include in your new charts.

Removing Specific Data

To remove specific data, right-click on the chart and select "Select Data" from the dropdown menu. In the "Select Data Source" dialog box, you can delete the series you don't want to include in your template by clicking on the series and then clicking on the "Remove" button.

You can also change the series name to a generic one, like "Series 1", "Series 2", etc., by clicking on the series name and typing in the new name.

Removing Specific Formatting

To remove specific formatting, right-click on the chart and select "Format Chart Area" from the dropdown menu. In the "Format Chart Area" pane that appears on the right, you can adjust the fill, line, and effects to remove any specific formatting you don't want to include in your template.

You can also adjust the font, size, and color of the chart title and axis labels to make them more generic.

Using the Chart as a Template

Now that you've prepared your chart as a template, it's time to use it. To do this, right-click on the chart and select "Format Chart Area" from the dropdown menu. Then, click on "Copy" in the toolbar that appears.

Now, navigate to the worksheet where you want to create a new chart. Right-click on the cell where you want to place the chart, and select "Paste" from the dropdown menu. Excel will paste the chart as a template, ready for you to add your new data.

Adding New Data to the Chart

To add new data to the chart, right-click on the chart and select "Select Data" from the dropdown menu. In the "Select Data Source" dialog box, click on the series you want to add data to, and then click on the "Edit" button.

In the "Edit Series" dialog box, you can add new data to the series by typing it into the "Series name" and "Series X values" fields. You can also add new series by clicking on the "Add" button.

And there you have it! You've successfully created a new chart template from an existing one in Excel. This method saves you time and ensures consistency in your chart formatting. Happy charting!