How to Change Series Name in Excel

Microsoft Excel offers a great way of presenting data with the help of charts. These charts allow users to represent their data graphically, which is easier to understand and interpret. While creating a chart in Excel, you may have several series that display information like Sales, Revenue, Expenses, and many others. However, at times, you might want to change the name of a series to make it more meaningful or understandable. In this blog post, we’ll guide you through the process of changing a series name in Excel, providing you with a quick and direct answer to your query.

Step 1: Open your Excel file with a chart

The first step in changing a series name in Excel is to open your Excel file that contains the chart. Once you have opened the file, navigate to the sheet containing the chart, and click on it.

Step 2: Click on the chart title you want to modify

After opening the sheet containing the chart, you’ll need to click on the chart title that you want to modify. This action selects the entire chart or the specific data series within the chart that you want to modify.

Step 3: Edit the series name by typing a new name

With the chart title selected, you can now edit the series name by typing in the new name in the formula bar or directly on the graph. Ensure that you press the “Enter” key to save the new name once you finish typing.

Step 4: Use the ‘Select Data Source’ option to change the series name

In another approach, you can change the series name by using the “Select Data Source” option. To do this, you need to right-click anywhere on the chart and click on the “Select Data” option. This action opens the “Select Data Source” dialog box, which contains detailed information about the chart data. Click on the data series that you want to edit the name for, and then click on “Edit.” In the “Series name” text box, enter the new name, click ok to save changes and then click ok again on the “Select Data Source” dialog box to exit.

Tip: Keep your series name clear and concise

When renaming your series name in Excel, ensure that you keep it as clear and concise as possible. Avoid using long descriptions that may be cumbersome to read and hard to understand. Short and straightforward names work best, as they will make it easier for you and your audience to interpret the chart data.

Changing a chart title to something more descriptive

In addition to changing a series name in Excel, you may also want to change your chart title to make it more descriptive. A good chart title should accurately describe the chart data, making it clear for the reader to understand. To change the chart title, click anywhere on the chart, select the “Chart Elements” option, click on “Chart Title,” and enter your new title.

Renaming multiple series within a chart

If you need to change the names of multiple series within a chart, it may be time-consuming to modify each one individually. Fortunately, you can create a table on a separate worksheet with the series names you want to use. Once you create the table, navigate to the chart you want to modify, click on the chart title, and change the formula bar to point to the cell that contains the new series name. This action modifies the name of all the series within the chart, saving you time and energy in the process.

Changing a series name in Excel provides you with more control over the appearance of your chart. With the steps outlined in this article, you can rename your series efficiently and easily. Take advantage of Excel’s chart options to create charts that are easy to read, and accurately represent your data. We hope this article has been helpful to you, and that you can use this new knowledge to create charts that better reflect your data analysis needs.

Frequently Asked Questions About Changing Series Name in Excel

Here are some of the frequently asked questions regarding changing series name in Excel:

1. Can I change the series name for an entire chart at once?

Yes, you can change the series name for an entire chart at once by modifying the chart title. Simply click on the chart title, edit the text, and press “Enter” to save the new name.

2. How do I change the order of data series in Excel?

To change the order of data series in Excel, you can simply drag and drop the series in the desired order in the “Select Data Source” dialog box. Alternatively, you can use the “Move Up” and “Move Down” buttons to rearrange the order of the series.

3. How do I delete a series in Excel?

To delete a series in Excel, click anywhere on the chart, select the data series you want to delete, and press “Delete” on your keyboard. This action removes the data series from the chart.

4. What should I do if my chart data changes, and I need to update my series names?

If your chart data changes and you need to update the series names, you can do this by editing the original data source. Simply modify the series name in the data source directly, and your chart will automatically update to reflect the new name.

5. How can I add a new data series to an Excel chart?

To add a new data series to an Excel chart, click anywhere on the chart, select the “Select Data” option, and click on the “Add” button. This action opens the “Edit Series” dialog box, where you can select the new data range for your data series. Once you’ve selected the new range, click “OK” to add the new data series to your chart.