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Move a Chart

June 20, 2023 - by

Move a Chart

Problem: I created a chart and it is in the wrong place. How do I move it?

Strategy: Microsoft always draws the chart in the middle of the visible grid. If you just selected A1:E5000 for your chart data, there is a good chance the chart will be drawn down in row 4980. Cut and paste is the fastest way to get the chart some place.

In fact, I’ve ended up with charts at the bottom of the data so often, I can almost fix it with my eyes closed:

  • 1. Select the data. Press Alt+F1. Realize the chart is in the wrong place.

  • 2. The chart is already selected. Ctrl+x to cut.

  • 3. Ctrl+Home to move to the top.

  • 4. Select the cell where you want the top-left corner of the chart.

  • 5. Ctrl+v to paste in A1. You can then use the mouse to drag the border of the chart to the right place.

Alternate Strategy: I usually end up at the bottom of the data because I am using Ctrl+Shift+Down Arrow to select the data. If I could start using Ctrl+* instead, I would select the data and stay at the top of the worksheet. You could also use the old method and then press Ctrl+period twice or Ctrl+Backspace once to move to the top of the range.

Gotcha: There is a Move Chart icon. You really only need this when you want to create one of those antique full-screen chart sheets that were popularized by Lotus 1-2-3 in 1983. Some people like that these charts print on a full sheet of paper, so if you need to move the chart to its own sheet, use the Move Chart icon.

You have a choice to move the chart to a new sheet or as an Object in an existing sheet.
Figure 1151. Using New Sheet inserts a special chart sheet.

This article is an excerpt from Power Excel With MrExcel

Title photo by Santiago Lacarta on Unsplash