How to Change Series Name in Excel

To change a series name in Excel, right-click the chart, choose Select Data, pick the series under Legend Entries (Series), click Edit, and type a new name or point to a cell reference in the Series name box. This instantly updates how that series appears in the legend without changing the underlying data values.

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.

The main method: Select Data → Edit series name

The most reliable way to rename a data series is through the Select Data Source dialog. This is the method that works the same way in every modern version of Excel (2016, 2019, 2021, and Microsoft 365), and it is the one to reach for when the legend shows a name you want to change.

1. Right-click anywhere on the chart and choose Select Data. This opens the Select Data Source dialog box.
2. Under Legend Entries (Series) on the left, click the series whose name you want to change.
3. Click the Edit button above the list. The Edit Series dialog appears.
4. In the Series name box, either type the new name directly (for example, Q1 Sales) or click into a worksheet cell to insert a cell reference such as =Sheet1!$B$1.
5. Click OK, then click OK again to close the Select Data Source dialog.

How this updates the legend

The series name and the legend entry are the same thing in Excel, so whatever you set in the Series name box is exactly what appears in the chart legend. If you typed plain text, the legend shows that fixed text. If you pointed the Series name box at a cell reference, the legend reads from that cell and updates automatically whenever the cell’s contents change. Using a cell reference is the better choice when your headings might change later or when you want the chart, the table, and the legend to stay in sync.

Renaming by editing the source header

There is an even simpler route that does not require opening any dialog box at all. Excel pulls each series name from the header cell directly above (or beside) that series’ data. If you change the text in that header cell, the chart’s series name and legend label update on their own. So if your chart series is reading its name from cell B1 and you replace the contents of B1 with a clearer label, the chart reflects the new name instantly. This is the fastest way to rename a series when you have access to the source data, and it keeps your spreadsheet and chart consistent.

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: Select the chart you want to modify

After opening the sheet containing the chart, click on the chart so it is selected. This action selects the entire chart, which is what you need before reaching the Select Data option or the specific data series you want to modify.

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

With the chart selected, you can edit the series name through the Select Data dialog as described above. If the series is reading its name from a worksheet cell, you can instead select that cell and type the new name in the formula bar. Either way, 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, right-click anywhere on the chart and click the Select Data option. This action opens the Select Data Source dialog box, which contains detailed information about the chart data. Click the data series whose name you want to edit, then click 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 Chart Title, and enter your new title. For a full walkthrough, see our guide on how to add a chart title in Excel. Note that the chart title is separate from the series name — editing the title does not rename any series or change the legend.

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 keep the series names in header cells on your worksheet and point each series to its header. Once those headers are in place, the chart reads its series names directly from them, so updating a header cell updates the corresponding series and its legend entry. Pointing series to cells rather than typing fixed text saves you time and keeps every series name accurate as your data evolves.

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 that accurately represent your data. If you are still refining your visualization, you may also find it useful to label your axes, add axis titles, add data labels, or change the chart type to suit your data. For the bigger picture, our complete guide to Excel charts ties all of these elements together.

Troubleshooting

The series name reverts after I type it. This usually happens when the series is linked to a header cell. When you type a fixed name in the Series name box but the series is set to read from a cell, Excel may keep pulling the original cell value. To make a typed name stick, either remove the cell reference and type plain text in the Edit Series dialog, or change the text in the linked header cell itself rather than typing over the legend.

The legend still shows “Series1,” “Series2,” and so on. Generic names like Series1 appear when Excel could not find a header cell for that data, which often occurs when you select only the data values (without the header row) before inserting the chart. Fix it through Select Data → Legend Entries (Series) → Edit, then type a name or set the Series name box to the correct header cell. Alternatively, delete the chart, re-select the data so the header row is included, and reinsert it so Excel picks up the names automatically.

My edit changed the chart title, not the series name. The chart title and the series name are different elements. If your text landed in the title, you most likely edited the title box; use Select Data → Edit to change the series name and its legend entry instead.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I rename a data series in an Excel chart?

Right-click the chart and choose Select Data. Under Legend Entries (Series), click the series you want, click Edit, and type a new name (or select a cell reference) in the Series name box. Click OK twice to apply the change.

How do I edit a legend name in Excel?

The legend name and the series name are the same value. Open Select Data, select the series under Legend Entries (Series), click Edit, and change the Series name box. Whatever you enter there becomes the text shown in the legend.

Can I link a series name to a cell instead of typing it?

Yes. In the Edit Series dialog, click inside the Series name box and then click the worksheet cell you want to use, or type a reference like =Sheet1!$B$1. The legend will then update automatically whenever that cell’s contents change.

Why does my chart show “Series1” instead of a real name?

Excel uses generic names like Series1 when it cannot find a header for the data, usually because the header row was not included when the chart was created. Set a proper name through Select Data → Edit, or recreate the chart with the header row selected so Excel reads the names automatically.

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

In the Select Data Source dialog, select a series under Legend Entries (Series) and use the Move Up and Move Down arrows to reorder it. The legend and plotting order update to match.

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

Click the chart, choose Select Data, and click Add under Legend Entries (Series). In the Edit Series dialog, set the Series name and the Series values range, then click OK to add the new series to your chart.