Copy a bunch of Excel cells into PowerPoint or even create a table within PowerPoint itself and type in some data -- this is something that can be
difficult for most audiences to comprehend because figures don't show any trends, at least no visual trends. The solution typically is to
add a chart on your slide that's based on the same data
so that you can compare two or more sets of values more visually and intuitively. However, there may be times when you need to show both the chart
and the underlying data. To make this possible, you can use PowerPoint's Data Table option -- this way, not only you get the pictorial
representation of the values, but also get to show the same values in the form of a table right below the chart.
Follow these steps to learn more:
- Open your presentation and select the required chart, as shown in Figure 1.
Figure 1: Chart selected
- With the chart selected, access the Chart Layout tab (shown highlighted in red within
Figure 2) of the Ribbon. Then, click the
Data Table button (shown highlighted in blue within Figure 2).
Figure 2: Data Table button
- This will bring up the Data Table gallery, as shown in Figure 3.
Figure 3: Data Table gallery
Let us explore the options within the Data Table gallery, as marked in Figure 3, above:
A. No Data Table
Selected by default (indicated by a tick mark in front of it), this option removes any existing Data Table from the
chart -- your chart will appear as shown previously in Figure 1 on this page.
B. Data Table
Adds a Data Table to the chart. Figure 4 shows Data Table added (highlighted in
red within Figure 4) to our sample chart.
Figure 4: Data Table added
C. Data Table with Legend Key
Works almost similar to the Data Table option except that each Series name is accompanied by
its Legend Key (color block) in the Data Table, as shown highlighted in red within Figure 5.
Figure 5: Data Table with Legend Key
D. Data Table Options
Summons the Format Data Table dialog box that provides you with options to customize
the appearance of your Data Table -- this is explained in our
Data Table Options for Charts in PowerPoint 2011 for
Mac tutorial.
- Save your presentation often!
See Also:
Chart Data Table in PowerPoint 2013 for Windows