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Charts and graphs are one of the best features of Excel; they are very flexible and can be used to make some
(including multiple lists)
very advanced visualization. However, this flexibility means there are hundreds of different options. We can
create exactly the visualization we want but it can be time-consuming to apply. When we want to apply those Excel number formats for accounting &
hundreds of settings to lots of charts, it can take hours and hours of frustrating clicking. This post is a guide to finance you NEED to know
using VBA for Charts and Graphs in Excel.
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The code examples below demonstrate some of the most common chart options with VBA. Hopefully you can Power Query
put these to good use and automate your chart creation and modifications.
How to run Excel macros from Power
While it might be tempting to skip straight to the section you need, I recommend you read the first section in Automate Desktop
full. Understanding the Document Object Model (DOM) is essential to understand how VBA can be used with
charts and graphs in Excel. How To Create Sheets For Each Item In
PivotTable Field
In Excel 2013, many changes were introduced to the charting engine and Document Object Model. For
example, the AddChart2 method replaced the AddChart method. As a result, some of the code presented in
this post may not work with versions before Excel 2013.

Adapting the code to your requirements

It is not feasible to provide code for every scenario you might come across; there are just too many. But, by
applying the principles and methods in this post, you will be able to do almost anything you want with charts
in Excel using VBA.

Understanding the Document Object Model

The Document Object Model (DOM) is a term that describes how things are structured in Excel. For example:

A Workbook contains Sheets

A Sheet contains Ranges
A Range contains an Interior
An Interior contains a color setting

Therefore, to change a cell color to red, we would reference this as follows:

ActiveWorkbook.Sheets("Sheet1").Range("A1").Interior.Color = RGB(255, 0, 0)

Charts are also part of the DOM and follow similar hierarchical principles. To change the height of Chart 1, on
Sheet1, we could use the following.

ActiveWorkbook.Sheets("Sheet1").ChartObjects("Chart 1").Height = 300

Each item in the object hierarchy must be listed and separated by a period ( . ).

Knowing the document object model is the key to success with VBA charts. Therefore, we need to know the
correct order inside the object model. While the following code may look acceptable, it will not work.

ActiveWorkbook.ChartObjects("Chart 1").Height = 300

In the DOM, the ActiveWorkbook does not contain ChartObjects, so Excel cannot find Chart 1. The parent of a
ChartObject is a Sheet, and the Parent of a Sheet is a Workbook. We must include the Sheet in the hierarchy
for Excel to know what you want to do.

ActiveWorkbook.Sheets("Sheet1").ChartObjects("Chart 1").Height = 300

With this knowledge, we can refer to any element of any chart using Excel’s DOM.

Chart Objects vs. Charts vs. Chart Sheets

One of the things which makes the DOM for charts complicated is that many things exist in many places. For
example, a chart can be an embedded chart on the face of a worksheet, or as a separate chart sheet.
 On the worksheet itself, we find ChartObjects. Within each ChartObject is a Chart. Effectively a
ChartObject is a container that holds a Chart.
A Chart is also a stand-alone sheet that does not have a ChartObject around it.

This may seem confusing initially, but there are good reasons for this.

To change the chart title text, we would reference the two types of chart differently:

Chart on a worksheet:
Sheets(“Sheet1”).ChartObjects(“Chart 1”).Chart.ChartTitle.Text = “My Chart Title”
Chart sheet:
Sheets(“Chart 1”).ChartTitle.Text = “My Chart Title”

The sections in bold are exactly the same. This shows that once we have got inside the Chart, the DOM is the
same.

Writing code to work on either chart type

We want to write code that will work on any chart; we do this by creating a variable that holds the reference to
a Chart.

Create a variable to refer to a Chart inside a ChartObject:

Dim cht As Chart

Set cht = Sheets("Sheet1").ChartObjects("Chart 1").Chart

Create a variable to refer to a Chart which is a sheet:

Dim cht As Chart

Set cht = Sheets("Chart 1")

Now we can write VBA code for a Chart sheet or a chart inside a ChartObject by referring to the Chart using
cht:

cht.ChartTitle.Text = "My Chart Title"

OK, so now we’ve established how to reference charts and briefly covered how the DOM works. It is time to
look at lots of code examples.

VBA Code Examples

Inserting charts
In this first section, we create charts. Please note that some of the individual lines of code are included below
in their relevant sections.

Create a chart from a blank chart

Sub CreateChart()

'Declare variables
Dim rng As Range
Dim cht As Object

'Create a blank chart

Set cht = ActiveSheet.Shapes.AddChart2

'Declare the data range for the chart

Set rng = ActiveSheet.Range("A2:B9")

'Add the data to the chart

cht.Chart.SetSourceData Source:=rng

'Set the chart type

cht.Chart.ChartType = xlColumnClustered

End Sub

Reference charts on a worksheet

In this section, we look at the methods used to reference a chart contained on a worksheet.

Active Chart

Create a Chart variable to hold the ActiveChart:

Dim cht As Chart

Set cht = ActiveChart

Chart Object by name

Create a Chart variable to hold a specific chart by name.

Dim cht As Chart

Set cht = Sheets("Sheet1").ChartObjects("Chart 1").Chart

Chart object by number

If there are multiple charts on a worksheet, they can be referenced by their number:

1 = the first chart created

2 = the second chart created
etc, etc.

Dim cht As Chart

Set cht = Sheets("Sheet1").ChartObjects(1).Chart

Loop through all Chart Objects

If there are multiple ChartObjects on a worksheet, we can loop through each:

Dim chtObj As ChartObject

For Each chtObj In Sheets("Sheet1").ChartObjects

'Include the code to be applied to each ChartObjects

'refer to the Chart using chtObj.cht.

Next chtObj

Loop through all selected Chart Objects

If we only want to loop through the selected ChartObjects we can use the following code.

This code is tricky to apply as Excel operates differently when one chart is selected, compared to multiple
charts. Therefore, as a way to apply the Chart settings, without the need to repeat a lot of code, I recommend
calling another macro and passing the Chart as an argument to that macro.

Dim obj As Object

'Check if any charts have been selected

If Not ActiveChart Is Nothing Then

Call AnotherMacro(ActiveChart)

Else
For Each obj In Selection

'If more than one chart selected

If TypeName(obj) = "ChartObject" Then

Call AnotherMacro(obj.Chart)

End If
Next

End If

Reference chart sheets

Now let’s move on to look at the methods used to reference a separate chart sheet.

Active Chart

Set up a Chart variable to hold the ActiveChart:

Dim cht As Chart

Set cht = ActiveChart

Note: this is the same code as when referencing the active chart on the worksheet.

Chart sheet by name

Set up a Chart variable to hold a specific chart sheet

Dim cht As Chart

Set cht = Sheets("Chart 1")

Loop through all chart sheets in a workbook

The following code will loop through all the chart sheets in the active workbook.

Dim cht As Chart

For Each cht In ActiveWorkbook.Charts

Call AnotherMacro(cht)

Next cht

Basic chart settings

This section contains basic chart settings.

All codes start with cht., as they assume a chart has been referenced using the codes above.

Change chart type

'Change chart type - these are common examples, others do exist.

cht.ChartType = xlArea
cht.ChartType = xlLine
cht.ChartType = xlPie
cht.ChartType = xlColumnClustered
cht.ChartType = xlColumnStacked
cht.ChartType = xlColumnStacked100
cht.ChartType = xlArea
cht.ChartType = xlAreaStacked
cht.ChartType = xlBarClustered
cht.ChartType = xlBarStacked
cht.ChartType = xlBarStacked100

Create an empty ChartObject on a worksheet

'Create an empty chart embedded on a worksheet.

Set cht = Sheets("Sheet1").Shapes.AddChart2.Chart

Select the source for a chart

'Select source for a chart

Dim rng As Range
Set rng = Sheets("Sheet1").Range("A1:B4")
cht.SetSourceData Source:=rng
Delete a chart object or chart sheet

'Delete a ChartObject or Chart sheet

If TypeName(cht.Parent) = "ChartObject" Then

cht.Parent.Delete

ElseIf TypeName(cht.Parent) = "Workbook" Then

cht.Delete

End If

Change the size or position of a chart

'Set the size/position of a ChartObject - method 1

cht.Parent.Height = 200
cht.Parent.Width = 300
cht.Parent.Left = 20
cht.Parent.Top = 20

'Set the size/position of a ChartObject - method 2

chtObj.Height = 200
chtObj.Width = 300
chtObj.Left = 20
chtObj.Top = 20

Change the visible cells setting

'Change the setting to show only visible cells

cht.PlotVisibleOnly = False

Change the space between columns/bars (gap width)

'Change the gap space between bars

cht.ChartGroups(1).GapWidth = 50

Change the overlap of columns/bars

'Change the overlap setting of bars

cht.ChartGroups(1).Overlap = 75

Remove outside border from chart object

'Remove the outside border from a chart

cht.ChartArea.Format.Line.Visible = msoFalse

Change color of chart background

'Set the fill color of the chart area

cht.ChartArea.Format.Fill.ForeColor.RGB = RGB(255, 0, 0)

'Set chart with no background color

cht.ChartArea.Format.Fill.Visible = msoFalse

Chart Axis
Charts have four axis:

xlValue
xlValue, xlSecondary
xlCategory
xlCategory, xlSecondary

These are used interchangeably in the examples below. To adapt the code to your specific requirements, you
need to change the chart axis which is referenced in the brackets.

All codes start with cht., as they assume a chart has been referenced using the codes earlier in this post.

Set min and max of chart axis

'Set chart axis min and max

cht.Axes(xlValue).MaximumScale = 25
cht.Axes(xlValue).MinimumScale = 10
cht.Axes(xlValue).MaximumScaleIsAuto = True
cht.Axes(xlValue).MinimumScaleIsAuto = True

Display or hide chart axis

'Display axis
cht.HasAxis(xlCategory) = True

'Hide axis
cht.HasAxis(xlValue, xlSecondary) = False

Display or hide chart title

'Display axis title

cht.Axes(xlCategory, xlSecondary).HasTitle = True

'Hide axis title

cht.Axes(xlValue).HasTitle = False

Change chart axis title text

 'Change axis title text
cht.Axes(xlCategory).AxisTitle.Text = "My Axis Title"

Reverse the order of a category axis

'Reverse the order of a catetory axis

cht.Axes(xlCategory).ReversePlotOrder = True

'Set category axis to default order

cht.Axes(xlCategory).ReversePlotOrder = False

Gridlines
Gridlines help a user to see the relative position of an item compared to the axis.

Add or delete gridlines

'Add gridlines
cht.SetElement (msoElementPrimaryValueGridLinesMajor)
cht.SetElement (msoElementPrimaryCategoryGridLinesMajor)
cht.SetElement (msoElementPrimaryValueGridLinesMinorMajor)
cht.SetElement (msoElementPrimaryCategoryGridLinesMinorMajor)

'Delete gridlines
cht.Axes(xlValue).MajorGridlines.Delete
cht.Axes(xlValue).MinorGridlines.Delete
cht.Axes(xlCategory).MajorGridlines.Delete
cht.Axes(xlCategory).MinorGridlines.Delete

Change color of gridlines

'Change colour of gridlines

cht.Axes(xlValue).MajorGridlines.Format.Line.ForeColor.RGB = RGB(255, 0, 0)

Change transparency of gridlines

'Change transparency of gridlines

cht.Axes(xlValue).MajorGridlines.Format.Line.Transparency = 0.5

Chart Title
The chart title is the text at the top of the chart.

All codes start with cht., as they assume a chart has been referenced using the codes earlier in this post.

Display or hide chart title

'Display chart title

cht.HasTitle = True

'Hide chart title

cht.HasTitle = False

Change chart title text

'Change chart title text

cht.ChartTitle.Text = "My Chart Title"

Position the chart title

'Position the chart title

cht.ChartTitle.Left = 10
cht.ChartTitle.Top = 10

Format the chart title

'Format the chart title

cht.ChartTitle.TextFrame2.TextRange.Font.Name = "Calibri"
cht.ChartTitle.TextFrame2.TextRange.Font.Size = 16
cht.ChartTitle.TextFrame2.TextRange.Font.Bold = msoTrue
cht.ChartTitle.TextFrame2.TextRange.Font.Bold = msoFalse
cht.ChartTitle.TextFrame2.TextRange.Font.Italic = msoTrue
cht.ChartTitle.TextFrame2.TextRange.Font.Italic = msoFalse

Chart Legend
The chart legend provides a color key to identify each series in the chart.

Display or hide the chart legend

'Display the legend

cht.HasLegend = True

'Hide the legend

cht.HasLegend = False

Position the legend

'Position the legend

cht.Legend.Position = xlLegendPositionTop
cht.Legend.Position = xlLegendPositionRight
cht.Legend.Position = xlLegendPositionLeft
 cht.Legend.Position = xlLegendPositionCorner
cht.Legend.Position = xlLegendPositionBottom

'Allow legend to overlap the chart.

'False = allow overlap, True = due not overlap
cht.Legend.IncludeInLayout = False
cht.Legend.IncludeInLayout = True

'Move legend to a specific point

cht.Legend.Left = 20
cht.Legend.Top = 200
cht.Legend.Width = 100
cht.Legend.Height = 25

Plot Area
The Plot Area is the main body of the chart which contains the lines, bars, areas, bubbles, etc.

All codes start with cht., as they assume a chart has been referenced using the codes earlier in this post.

Background color of Plot Area

'Set background color of the plot area

cht.PlotArea.Format.Fill.ForeColor.RGB = RGB(255, 0, 0)

'Set plot area to no background color

cht.PlotArea.Format.Fill.Visible = msoFalse

Set position of Plot Area

'Set the size and position of the PlotArea. Top and Left are relative to
the Chart Area.
cht.PlotArea.Left = 20
cht.PlotArea.Top = 20
cht.PlotArea.Width = 200
cht.PlotArea.Height = 150

Chart series
Chart series are the individual lines, bars, areas for each category.

All codes starting with srs. assume a chart’s series has been assigned to a variable.

Add a new chart series

'Add a new chart series

Set srs = cht.SeriesCollection.NewSeries
srs.Values = "=Sheet1!$C$2:$C$6"
srs.Name = "=""New Series"""

'Set the values for the X axis when using XY Scatter

srs.XValues = "=Sheet1!$D$2:$D$6"

Reference a chart series

Set up a Series variable to hold a chart series:

1 = First chart series

2 = Second chart series
etc, etc.

Dim srs As Series

Set srs = cht.SeriesCollection(1)

Referencing a chart series by name

Dim srs As Series

Set srs = cht.SeriesCollection("Series Name")

Delete a chart series

'Delete chart series

srs.Delete

Loop through each chart series

Dim srs As Series

For Each srs In cht.SeriesCollection

'Do something to each series

'See the codes below starting with "srs."

Next srs

Change series data

'Change series source data and name

srs.Values = "=Sheet1!$C$2:$C$6"
srs.Name = "=""Change Series Name"""

Changing fill or line colors

'Change fill colour

srs.Format.Fill.ForeColor.RGB = RGB(255, 0, 0)

'Change line colour

srs.Format.Line.ForeColor.RGB = RGB(255, 0, 0)
Changing visibility

'Change visibility of line

srs.Format.Line.Visible = msoTrue

Changing line weight

'Change line weight

srs.Format.Line.Weight = 10

Changing line style

'Change line style

srs.Format.Line.DashStyle = msoLineDash
srs.Format.Line.DashStyle = msoLineSolid
srs.Format.Line.DashStyle = msoLineSysDot
srs.Format.Line.DashStyle = msoLineSysDash
srs.Format.Line.DashStyle = msoLineDashDot
srs.Format.Line.DashStyle = msoLineLongDash
srs.Format.Line.DashStyle = msoLineLongDashDot
srs.Format.Line.DashStyle = msoLineLongDashDotDot

Formatting markers

'Changer marker type

srs.MarkerStyle = xlMarkerStyleAutomatic
srs.MarkerStyle = xlMarkerStyleCircle
srs.MarkerStyle = xlMarkerStyleDash
srs.MarkerStyle = xlMarkerStyleDiamond
srs.MarkerStyle = xlMarkerStyleDot
srs.MarkerStyle = xlMarkerStyleNone

'Change marker border color

srs.MarkerForegroundColor = RGB(255, 0, 0)

'Change marker fill color

srs.MarkerBackgroundColor = RGB(255, 0, 0)

'Change marker size

srs.MarkerSize = 8

Data labels
Data labels display additional information (such as the value, or series name) to a data point in a chart series.

All codes starting with srs. assume a chart’s series has been assigned to a variable.

Display or hide data labels

'Display data labels on all points in the series

srs.HasDataLabels = True

'Hide data labels on all points in the series

srs.HasDataLabels = False

Change the position of data labels

'Position data labels

'The label position must be a valid option for the chart type.
srs.DataLabels.Position = xlLabelPositionAbove
srs.DataLabels.Position = xlLabelPositionBelow
srs.DataLabels.Position = xlLabelPositionLeft
srs.DataLabels.Position = xlLabelPositionRight
srs.DataLabels.Position = xlLabelPositionCenter
srs.DataLabels.Position = xlLabelPositionInsideEnd
srs.DataLabels.Position = xlLabelPositionInsideBase
srs.DataLabels.Position = xlLabelPositionOutsideEnd

Error Bars
Error bars were originally intended to show variation (e.g. min/max values) in a value. However, they also
commonly used in advanced chart techniques to create additional visual elements.

All codes starting with srs. assume a chart’s series has been assigned to a variable.

Turn error bars on/off

'Turn error bars on/off

srs.HasErrorBars = True
srs.HasErrorBars = False

Error bar end cap style

'Change end style of error bar

srs.ErrorBars.EndStyle = xlNoCap
srs.ErrorBars.EndStyle = xlCap

Error bar color

'Change color of error bars

srs.ErrorBars.Format.Line.ForeColor.RGB = RGB(255, 0, 0)

Error bar thickness

'Change thickness of error bars

srs.ErrorBars.Format.Line.Weight = 5
Error bar direction settings

'Error bar settings

srs.ErrorBar Direction:=xlY, _
Include:=xlPlusValues, _
Type:=xlFixedValue, _
Amount:=100
'Alternatives options for the error bar settings are
'Direction:=xlX
'Include:=xlMinusValues
'Include:=xlPlusValues
'Include:=xlBoth
'Type:=xlFixedValue
'Type:=xlPercent
'Type:=xlStDev
'Type:=xlStError
'Type:=xlCustom

'Applying custom values to error bars

srs.ErrorBar Direction:=xlY, _
Include:=xlPlusValues, _
Type:=xlCustom, _
Amount:="=Sheet1!$A$2:$A$7", _
MinusValues:="=Sheet1!$A$2:$A$7"

Data points
Each data point on a chart series is known as a Point.

Reference a specific point

The following code will reference the first Point.

1 = First chart series

2 = Second chart series
etc, etc.

Dim srs As Series

Dim pnt As Point

Set srs = cht.SeriesCollection(1)

Set pnt = srs.Points(1)

Loop through all points

Dim srs As Series

Dim pnt As Point

Set srs = cht.SeriesCollection(1)

For Each pnt In srs.Points

'Do something to each point, using "pnt."

Next pnt

Point example VBA codes

Points have similar properties to Series, but the properties are applied to a single data point in the series
rather than the whole series. See a few examples below, just to give you the idea.

Turn on data label for a point

'Turn on data label

pnt.HasDataLabel = True

Set the data label position for a point

'Set the position of a data label

pnt.DataLabel.Position = xlLabelPositionCenter

Other useful chart macros

In this section, I’ve included other useful chart macros which are not covered by the example codes above.

Make chart cover cell range

The following code changes the location and size of the active chart to fit directly over the range G4:N20

Sub FitChartToRange()

'Declare variables
Dim cht As Chart
Dim rng As Range

'Assign objects to variables

Set cht = ActiveChart
Set rng = ActiveSheet.Range("G4:N20")

'Move and resize chart

cht.Parent.Left = rng.Left
cht.Parent.Top = rng.Top
cht.Parent.Width = rng.Width
cht.Parent.Height = rng.Height

End Sub

Export the chart as an image

The following code saves the active chart to an image in the predefined location

Sub ExportSingleChartAsImage()

'Create a variable to hold the path and name of image

Dim imagePath As String
Dim cht As Chart

imagePath = "C:\Users\marks\Documents\myImage.png"
Set cht = ActiveChart
 'Export the chart
cht.Export (imagePath)

End Sub

Resize all charts to the same size as the active chart

The following code resizes all charts on the Active Sheet to be the same size as the active chart.

Sub ResizeAllCharts()

'Create variables to hold chart dimensions

Dim chtHeight As Long
Dim chtWidth As Long

'Create variable to loop through chart objects

Dim chtObj As ChartObject

'Get the size of the first selected chart

chtHeight = ActiveChart.Parent.Height
chtWidth = ActiveChart.Parent.Width

For Each chtObj In ActiveSheet.ChartObjects

chtObj.Height = chtHeight
chtObj.Width = chtWidth

Next chtObj

End Sub

Bringing it all together

Just to prove how we can use these code snippets, I have created a macro to build bullet charts.

This isn’t necessarily the most efficient way to write the code, but it is to demonstrate that by understanding
the code above we can create a lot of charts.

The data looks like this:

The chart looks like this:

The code which achieves this is as follows:

Sub CreateBulletChart()

Dim cht As Chart

Dim srs As Series
Dim rng As Range

'Create an empty chart

Set cht = Sheets("Sheet3").Shapes.AddChart2.Chart

'Change chart title text

cht.ChartTitle.Text = "Bullet Chart with VBA"

'Hide the legend

cht.HasLegend = False

'Change chart type

cht.ChartType = xlBarClustered

'Select source for a chart

Set rng = Sheets("Sheet3").Range("A1:D4")
cht.SetSourceData Source:=rng

'Reverse the order of a catetory axis

cht.Axes(xlCategory).ReversePlotOrder = True

'Change the overlap setting of bars

cht.ChartGroups(1).Overlap = 100

'Change the gap space between bars

cht.ChartGroups(1).GapWidth = 50

'Change fill colour

Set srs = cht.SeriesCollection(1)
srs.Format.Fill.ForeColor.RGB = RGB(200, 200, 200)

Set srs = cht.SeriesCollection(2)

srs.Format.Fill.ForeColor.RGB = RGB(150, 150, 150)

Set srs = cht.SeriesCollection(3)

srs.Format.Fill.ForeColor.RGB = RGB(100, 100, 100)

'Add a new chart series

Set srs = cht.SeriesCollection.NewSeries
srs.Values = "=Sheet3!$B$7:$D$7"
srs.XValues = "=Sheet3!$B$5:$D$5"
srs.Name = "=""Actual"""

'Change chart type

srs.ChartType = xlXYScatter

'Turn error bars on/off

srs.HasErrorBars = True

'Change end style of error bar

srs.ErrorBars.EndStyle = xlNoCap

'Set the error bars

srs.ErrorBar Direction:=xlY, _
Include:=xlNone, _
Type:=xlErrorBarTypeCustom

srs.ErrorBar Direction:=xlX, _
Include:=xlMinusValues, _
Type:=xlPercent, _
Amount:=100
 'Change color of error bars
srs.ErrorBars.Format.Line.ForeColor.RGB = RGB(0, 0, 0)

'Change thickness of error bars

srs.ErrorBars.Format.Line.Weight = 14

'Change marker type

srs.MarkerStyle = xlMarkerStyleNone

'Add a new chart series

Set srs = cht.SeriesCollection.NewSeries
srs.Values = "=Sheet3!$B$7:$D$7"
srs.XValues = "=Sheet3!$B$6:$D$6"
srs.Name = "=""Target"""

'Change chart type

srs.ChartType = xlXYScatter

'Turn error bars on/off

srs.HasErrorBars = True

'Change end style of error bar

srs.ErrorBars.EndStyle = xlNoCap

srs.ErrorBar Direction:=xlX, _
Include:=xlNone, _
Type:=xlErrorBarTypeCustom

srs.ErrorBar Direction:=xlY, _
Include:=xlBoth, _
Type:=xlFixedValue, _
Amount:=0.45

'Change color of error bars

srs.ErrorBars.Format.Line.ForeColor.RGB = RGB(255, 0, 0)

'Change thickness of error bars

srs.ErrorBars.Format.Line.Weight = 2

'Changer marker type

srs.MarkerStyle = xlMarkerStyleNone

'Set chart axis min and max

cht.Axes(xlValue, xlSecondary).MaximumScale =
cht.SeriesCollection(1).Points.Count
cht.Axes(xlValue, xlSecondary).MinimumScale = 0

'Hide axis
cht.HasAxis(xlValue, xlSecondary) = False

End Sub

Using the Macro Recorder for VBA for charts and graphs
The Macro Recorder is one of the most useful tools for writing VBA for Excel charts. The DOM is so vast that it
can be challenging to know how to refer to a specific object, property or method. Studying the code produced
by the Macro Recorder will provide the parts of the DOM which you don’t know.

As a note, the Macro Recorder creates poorly constructed code; it selects each object before manipulating it
(this is what you did with the mouse after all). But this is OK for us. Once we understand the DOM, we can
take just the parts of the code we need and ensure we put them into the right part of the hierarchy.

Conclusion
As you’ve seen in this post, the Document Object Model for charts and graphs in Excel is vast (and we’ve only
scratched the surface.

I hope that through all the examples in this post you have a better understanding of VBA for charts and graphs
in Excel. With this knowledge, I’m sure you will be able to automate your chart creation and modification.

Have I missed any useful codes? If so, put them in the comments.

Looking for other detailed VBA guides? Check out these posts:

VBA for Tables & List Objects

VBA for PivotTables
VBA to insert, move, delete and control pictures

About the author

Hey, I’m Mark, and I run Excel Off The Grid.

My parents tell me that at the age of 7 I declared I was going to become a qualified
accountant. I was either psychic or had no imagination, as that is exactly what
happened. However, it wasn't until I was 35 that my journey really began.

In 2015, I started a new job, for which I was regularly working after 10pm. As a result, I rarely saw my children
during the week. So, I started searching for the secrets to automating Excel. I discovered that by building a
small number of simple tools, I could combine them together in different ways to automate nearly all my
regular tasks. This meant I could work less hours (and I got pay raises!). Today, I teach these techniques to
other professionals in our training program so they too can spend less time at work (and more time with their
children and doing the things they love).

Do you need help adapting this post to your needs?

I'm guessing the examples in this post don't exactly match your situation. We all use Excel differently, so it's
impossible to write a post that will meet everybody's needs. By taking the time to understand the techniques
and principles in this post (and elsewhere on this site), you should be able to adapt it to your needs.

But, if you're still struggling you should:

1. Read other blogs, or watch YouTube videos on the same topic. You will benefit much more by
discovering your own solutions.
2. Ask the 'Excel Ninja' in your office. It's amazing what things other people know.
3. Ask a question in a forum like Mr Excel, or the Microsoft Answers Community. Remember, the people
on these forums are generally giving their time for free. So take care to craft your question, make sure
it's clear and concise. List all the things you've tried, and provide screenshots, code segments and
example workbooks.
4. Use Excel Rescue, who are my consultancy partner. They help by providing solutions to smaller Excel
problems.

What next?
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Posted in Blog, Charts, VBA, VBA Code Snippet

← Power Query: Lookup value in another table with How to split cells in Excel: 4 simple ways →
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2 thoughts on “Ultimate Guide: VBA for Charts & Graphs in Excel (100+
examples)”

Jakob says:

Thank you for this great article.

Very comprehensive and insightful.

Reply November 3, 2022 at 1:49 pm

Excel Off The Grid says:

Thank You

Reply November 7, 2022 at 6:23 pm

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