Everything on a chart within PowerPoint 2013 is placed on top of the
Chart Area, this essentially is the entire area that encompasses your chart. Thus, the Chart Area is that part of your chart which
is placed beneath all other chart elements. Look at
Figure 1 below, where you can see the Chart Area colored in pale orange, which is surrounded by selection handles.
Figure 1: Chart Area
By default, the Chart Area doesn't possess any fill or any kind of formatting unless you have used a particular
Chart Style. Even though this default status works well,
you can opt to format as required. You can change the fill, border, and effect of the Chart Area, change the size and properties of the
chart, and also change the font attribute. Follow these steps to explore more:
- Select the chart that you want to format the Chart Area for. If you don't have a chart,
insert a new chart in your slide.
- Now, carefully right-click the Chart Area, from the resultant menu, select the Format Chart Area option, highlighted in
red within Figure 2.
Figure 2: Format Chart Area option
- This opens the Format Chart Area
Task Pane as shown in Figure 3. In this
Task Pane you'll find the Chart Options and Text Options tabs, highlighted in red
within Figure 3. These two tabs provide you with all Chart Area formatting options.
Figure 3: Chart Options within Format Chart Area Task Pane
Let us start with exploring the options within the Chart Options tab, as marked in Figure 3.
A. Fill & Line
Includes various options that are used to edit fill and border of the Chart Area. Learn more in our
Fill and Line options for Chart Area in PowerPoint 2013 tutorial.
B. Effects
You can apply an effect such as Bevel or Shadow etc. to the Chart Area. To explore more, refer to our
Effect Options for Chart Area in PowerPoint 2013
tutorial.
C. Size & Properties
You can reposition your chart on the slide, and also add an Alt text for your Chart. Get more info in our
Size & Properties Options for Chart
Area in PowerPoint 2013 tutorial.
The Text Options tab of the Format Chart Area Task Pane provides you with the text editing options for your Chart
Area, as shown in Figure 4.
Figure 4: Text Options tab of the Format Chart Area Task Pane
Let us explore the options within the Text Options tab, as marked in Figure 4.
A. Text Fill & Outline
Change the Text fill and outline of your chart text as explained in our
Text Fill & Outline Options for Chart Area in PowerPoint 2013 tutorial.
B. Text Effects
Choose from various text effects to make your chart text stand apart. For more information, refer to our
Text Effects Options for Chart Area in PowerPoint 2013 tutorial
C. Textbox
Although you can find some options here (see Figure 5, below), changes made here do not reflect in any way
within the actual Chart Area.
Figure 5: Textbox Options within the Chart Area Task Pane
- Select the required option and format the Chart Area as required.
- Save your presentation often.
See Also: Chart Area in PowerPoint 2011 for Mac