Creating and Using a Chart Template

A chart template is a standard chart (or combination chart) customized in a specific manner. You can subsequently use the template to create new charts. To customize a chart that you can save as a template, following these steps:

1. Create a chart that's customized the way you want. For example, you can set colors or line styles, modify fonts and type sizes, add 3-D and shadow effects, and add a title.
2. Click anywhere on the chart and click the Design tab to display the chart design tools on the Ribbon.
3. Click the Save as Template button. Excel displays the Save Chart Template dialog box.
4. In the File Name box, enter a filename.
5. Click Save.

The template appears in the Templates category of the Change Chart Type dialog box (accessed by clicking the Change Chart Type button in the Design tab). After you select the Templates category, the new chart appears in the My Templates gallery on the right side of the dialog box. If you hover the mouse pointer over the chart, a ScreenTip displays the chart name you supplied in Step 4.