You can enhance a chart by inserting a picture, such as a business logo, in the chart area. Or, use a picture fill to draw attention to specific chart elements such as the chart area, the plot area, the data markers (in column, bar, area, bubble, 3-D line, and filled radar charts), the legend (in 2-D and 3-D charts), or the 3-D walls and floor of a chart.
You can also copy a picture to a chart or to chart elements such as data markers in 2-D line charts, scatter charts, or an unfilled radar chart. If a picture is no longer needed, you can remove it.
Insert a picture in a chart
Select the chart area.
On the Insert tab, in the Illustrations group, select Pictures.
Find the picture that you want to insert, and then double-click it.
Tip
To add multiple pictures, hold down Ctrl while you select the pictures that you want to insert, and then select Insert.
To change the size of the picture, drag a sizing handle away from or toward the center of the picture while doing one of the following steps:
- To keep the center of the picture in the same place, hold down Ctrl while you drag the sizing handle.
- To maintain the proportions of the picture, hold down Shift while you drag the sizing handle.
- To both keep the center of a picture in the same place and maintain its proportions, hold down Ctrl+Shift while you drag the sizing handle.
You can also resize a picture to an exact height and width by selecting the picture and then entering the size that you want in the Shape Height and Shape Width boxes (Format Picture, Size group).
To move the picture, drag it to the location that you want.
Note
When you insert pictures in your chart, you embed them in your chart and increase the file size. To reduce the file size, you can link to a picture instead of inserting it. In the Insert Picture dialog box, select the picture that you want to insert, select the arrow next to Insert, and then select Link to File.
Fill a chart element with a picture
- On a chart, select the chart area, the plot area, the data marker, the legend, the 3-D wall, or the 3-D floor that you want to fill with a picture.
This selection displays the Chart Styles and adds the Chart Design and Format tabs. - On the Format tab, in the Shape Styles group, select Shape Fill.
. - Select Picture.
- Find the picture that you want to insert, and then double-click it.
Copy a picture to a chart or chart element
- Select the picture that you want to copy, and press Ctrl+C.
- Select the chart area or the chart element where you want to paste the picture.
- Press Ctrl+V to paste your selection.
Remove a picture from a chart
Use one of the following methods:
To remove a picture that you inserted in the chart, select the picture, and then press DELETE.
To remove a picture that you filled into a chart element, select that chart element, and then follow these steps:
On the Format tab, in the Current Selection group, select Format Selection.
On the Fill & Line tab
, expand Fill, and then select Automatic.Tip
To remove the picture and any other fill effects that are applied to the selected chart element, select No Fill.