Applies ToWord for Microsoft 365 Word 2024 Word 2021 Word 2019 Word 2016 Word 2013

You can make a chart in Word. If you have lots of data to chart, create your chart in Excel, and then copy from Excel to another Office program. This is also the best way if your data changes regularly and you want your chart to always reflect the latest numbers. In that case, when you copy the chart, keep it linked to the original Excel file.

To create a simple chart from scratch in Word, click Insert > Chart, and pick the chart you want.

  1. Click Insert > Chart.

    The Chart option is highlighted on the Insert tab
  2. Click the chart type and then double-click the chart you want.

    Insert Chart dialog box

    Tip: For help deciding which chart is best for your data, see Available chart types.

  3. In the spreadsheet that appears, replace the default data with your own information.

    The spreadsheet that appears after picking the chart you want.

    Tip: When you insert a chart, small buttons appear next to its upper-right corner. Use the Chart Elements Chart Elements button button to show, hide, or format things like axis titles or data labels. Or use the Chart Styles Customize the Look of Your Chart button button to quickly change the color or style of the chart. The Chart Filters Chart Filters button button is a more advanced option that shows or hides data in your chart.

  4. When you’ve finished, close the spreadsheet.

  5. If you want, use the Layout Options button Layout Options button to arrange the chart and text in your document.

You can make a chart in Word or Excel. If you have lots of data to chart, create your chart in Excel, and then copy from Excel to another Office program. This is also the best way if your data changes regularly and you want your chart to always reflect the latest numbers. In that case, when you copy the chart, keep it linked to the original Excel file.

To create a simple chart from scratch in Word, click Insert > Chart and pick the chart you want.

  1. Click Insert > Chart.

    Chart button in the Illustrations group on the Insert tab in Word
  2. Click the chart type and then double-click the chart you want.

    Insert Chart dialog box

    Tip: For help deciding which chart is best for your data, see Available chart types.

  3. In the spreadsheet that appears, replace the default data with your own information.

    The spreadsheet that appears after picking the chart you want.

    Tip: When you insert a chart, small buttons appear next to its upper-right corner. Use the Chart Elements Chart Elements button button to show, hide, or format things like axis titles or data labels. Or use the Chart Styles Customize the Look of Your Chart button button to quickly change the color or style of the chart. The Chart Filters Chart Filters button button is a more advanced option that shows or hides data in your chart.

  4. When you’ve finished, close the spreadsheet.

  5. If you want, use the Layout Options button Layout Options button to arrange the chart and text in your document.

See also

Present data in a chart

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