Colors in Waterfall chart excel 2016

[Kathrineemilie]

Hi all,

I'm new in here, but hope that I can get some help!

I have a problem with the colors in the new waterfall chart in excel 2016, where I'd like to automate the bar colors. For example, if the value is negative (bar goes down) I would like the bar to be green and for positive values (bar goes up) I would like them to be red.

I can change the colors manually, but then the colors will not automatically shift if the value, i.e. next month, changes from positive to negative.
The colors should only be changed in the chart and not change the whole color theme in the workbook.

Can anybody help me?

Thanks!

/Kathrine

 

[AliGW]

This is a massive disadvantage of 2016: I don't know if it is officially a 'bug', but I have yet to get a chart or graph to 'remember' my custom colours in that version of Excel. It works fine in 2010.

 

[drstrnglv]

You can create a Custom Colors Theme to get the colors you want.
Click on Page Layout tab.
Click on Colors drop down box in the top left of the ribbon.
Click on Customize Colors....
Change the colors your waterfall chart is using to what you need.
Name the Custom set and click Save.
Go back into the Colors drop down list and your new theme is at the top. Click on that and recalculate the page - those colors will now be used by your waterfall chart.
Note that this then applies to your whole workbook so it has its drawbacks as well.

 

[Jeff Go Home]

PM
drstrnglv,

This comment was so helpful that I created an account just so I could say "thank you"!

 

[SuzieH]

Just wanted to say that this is perhaps THE most helpful and concise explanation I have ever read on a forum - thank you

You can create a Custom Colors Theme to get the colors you want.
Click on Page Layout tab.
Click on Colors drop down box in the top left of the ribbon.
Click on Customize Colors....
Change the colors your waterfall chart is using to what you need.
Name the Custom set and click Save.
Go back into the Colors drop down list and your new theme is at the top. Click on that and recalculate the page - those colors will now be used by your waterfall chart.
Note that this then applies to your whole workbook so it has its drawbacks as well.

 

[cnestg8r]

Best answer: buy this...

Jelen, Bill. MrExcel LIVe: The 54 Greatest Excel Tips of All Time (pp. 37-38). Holy Macro! Books. Kindle Edition.

Much easier without any of the drawbacks.

 

[ALS_BRA]

From cnestg8r tip:
To change the color for Increase/Decrease or Total: Click on the
legend and then click on one item in the legend. Press Ctrl+1 to open
the Format panel for that series and choose a new Fill Color.