Creating Non-Default Text Labels on an XY (Scatter) Chart (125178)


The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft Excel 97 for Windows
  • Microsoft Excel for Windows 95
  • Microsoft Excel for Windows 5.0
This article was previously published under Q125178

SUMMARY

In Microsoft Excel, you can automatically attach text labels to data points in an xy (scatter) chart. However, if you want to attach labels that are different from the default labels, you must select the label and manually type a formula or text for the label.

MORE INFORMATION

To create labels for an xy (scatter) chart that are different from the default labels, follow these steps:
  1. Select the chart. To do this in Microsoft Excel 97, click once on the chart. In Microsoft Excel 5.0 and 7.0, double-click the chart to select it.
  2. Show data labels. To do this in Microsoft Excel 97, Point to the Chart menu and click Chart Options. Click the Data Labels tab, click Show Label, and then click OK. In Microsoft Excel 5.0 and 7.0, click Data Labels on the Insert menu, click Show Labels, and then click OK.

    The labels for each data point appear on the chart.
  3. Click once on a data label to select it.

    A box appears around the value of the data label.
  4. With the data label selected, type the label text or cell reference in the formula bar. For example, to link the label to the value in a cell, type the following

    =<cell reference>

    where <cell reference> is the cell reference for the text that you want to display in the label.
  5. Press ENTER.
Repeat steps 3-5 for each point that you to change from the default label.

Note that if you use this technique in a macro, you must use R1C1 notation.

For additional information, click the article number below to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

77086 XL: Macro to Add Data Point Labels to a Chart in Excel

Modification Type:MinorLast Reviewed:8/15/2005
Keywords:kbualink97 KB125178
©2004 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.