Add an Excel chart to a comment

by Mary Ann Richardson | May 31, 2005 8:31:00 PM

Tags: Microsoft Office, Mary Ann Richardson, Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Office Suite Excel Tips Newsletter

Takeaway: A great way to display a Microsoft Excel chart without having to embed it in your worksheet is to add the chart to a comment. Mary Ann Richardson walks you through the simple process.

There may be times when you want to display a Microsoft Excel chart with your data, but you don't want it to take up the space on the worksheet. One solution is to place the chart in a comment.

First, create your chart and cut and paste it to a drawing program such as Paint. Save the chart as a picture file and then go back and insert a comment in the worksheet.

To add the chart to the comment, follow these steps:

1. Double-click the comment.
2. Select the Colors And Lines tab.
3. In the Fill section, select Fill Effects From The Color drop-down list.
4. Select the Picture tab and then click the Select Picture button.
5. Navigate to the file that contains the chart and click the Insert button.
6. Click OK twice.

Now you can simply point to the cell that contains the comment and the chart is displayed.

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Print/View all Posts Comments on this article

which Bob.Roy | 06/01/05

Colors and Lines Tab? Where is that? mmcdonal@... | 06/01/05

More detailed instructions reg.singh@... | 06/01/05

Thank you for the clarification ChangeAdvocate | 06/01/05

Great!! can be used in Office 2000 too eros_tse@... | 06/14/05

Yes, thanks mmcdonal@... | 06/01/05

Picture TAB? Lost4now | 06/01/05

Better to use a different sheet wordworker | 06/01/05

Very nice, great idea. Thanks for the tip bstokely@... | 06/01/05

Poorly explained, but nice Bob.Roy | 06/02/05

another opportunity for a screen shot... wordworker | 06/02/05

Like it! janesdtr | 06/01/05

Good one!! iamusefull | 06/01/05

Any kind of pic, like photos, can be added reinard | 06/01/05

Very Cool koski | 06/01/05

Print background - How? marlinswimmer@... | 06/01/05

Very good idea! CodeKnight | 06/01/05

Can the chart be dynamic? leoay@... | 06/01/05

Yes, but not using the same technique hkacz | 06/13/05

Convert the excel chart?? mvollmer@... | 06/13/05

Same here - Is feature not in Excel 2000? BS Analyst | 06/14/05

Turn on display of comments rcaruso@... | 08/10/05