Deleting A Chart In Excel

by Jacky Chou
Updated on

Key Takeaway:

  • Deleting a chart in Excel is a simple process that involves locating the chart, selecting it, and pressing the delete key. By doing so, the chart and all of its associated data will be removed from the worksheet.
  • Before deleting a chart in Excel, it’s important to check for any linked data that may be affected by its deletion. Failure to do so could result in errors in other parts of the worksheet.
  • If you accidentally delete a chart in Excel, you can use the ‘Undo’ function to retrieve it. This is especially useful if you’ve made several changes to the worksheet since deleting the chart.

Struggling to remove a chart from an Excel spreadsheet? You’re not alone. This article will help you get rid of unwanted charts quickly and efficiently, preventing frustration and wasted time. Let’s make your life easier by showing you how to delete a chart in Excel with ease.

Steps to Delete a Chart in Excel

  1. Locate the Chart to Delete – First step!
  2. Select it – Second step!
  3. Press the Delete Key – Third step!

Follow these steps in the order mentioned for easy deletion of a chart in Excel. You’ll be able to swiftly remove any unwanted charts from your Excel sheet, and keep your data well-organized.

Steps to Delete a Chart in Excel-Deleting a Chart in Excel,

Image credits: chouprojects.com by Adam Washington

Locate the Chart to Delete

To get rid of the chart in Excel, you need to first identify and locate it. One easy approach is by scanning through the document or worksheet until you recognize the chart that needs to be deleted.

As an alternative method, use Excel’s “Select Objects” feature to single out the desired chart before deleting it.

Identifying a specific chart can come down to its name, location, or data representation. Ensure that you are targeting the exact chart that requires removal and not any other graphical visual aids on the spreadsheet.

One suggestion is to assign more descriptive titles or labels to charts when creating them. Doing so will enable easy recognition of which one should be removed if multiple graphs exist on the same document. Another idea is using colors, shapes, or borders around charts to differentiate between them instantly. Always double-check before deleting charts since you cannot undo this action.

Choose your victim – I mean chart – with a click of the mouse.

The table below shows the location of some of the charts that can be found on the document:

Chart NameLocation
Revenue TrendsSheet1 > Cells B2:G7
Sales ForecastAnalysis > Pivot Table > Fields A-F, Rows 1-12
Marketing PlanMarketing Tab > Chart Area

Select the Chart

To get started with deleting a chart in Excel, you need to locate and select the specific chart that you want to remove. Simply click on the chart to highlight it and gain access to additional options for editing or deleting the chart.

Once you have successfully selected the chart, right-click on it to bring up a context menu, where you will find various options for modifying, moving or erasing the chart from your spreadsheet. Scroll down to find and click on the option that says “Delete”, which should remove the highlighted chart from your screen.

Remember that deleting a chart might prompt an alert message if there is any data linked with it. In such cases, make sure that you understand what kind of information might be affected by removing the graph before deciding whether or not to proceed with it.

A colleague of mine once accidentally deleted an important sales report from their Excel spreadsheet while attempting to clear some space. Fortunately, they had created a backup copy earlier that day and were able to restore most of their data without too much hassle. This experience taught them how valuable it can be not only to back up your files regularly but also to carefully triple-check any changes before applying them fully.

Say goodbye to your chart with just one press of a button – heck, even your ex needs more effort to delete from your life.

Press the Delete Key

To remove a chart in Excel, simply press the delete key when the chart is selected. Once deleted, this action cannot be undone. Be sure to save your work before permanently removing any data.

If you wish to delete multiple charts at once, use the selection tool to highlight the charts you wish to remove and then press the delete key. This will remove all selected charts simultaneously.

It’s important to note that deleting a chart will not affect any of the underlying data in your spreadsheet. It will only remove the visual representation of that data.

According to Microsoft’s official Excel documentation, “When you delete a chart, its embedded chart objects are also deleted.” Keep this in mind if you have added any additional objects or annotations to your chart as they will also be removed.

Deleting charts in Excel is like breaking up with a clingy girlfriend – it’s necessary and sometimes messy, but ultimately for the best.

Tips for Deleting Charts in Excel

Easily delete charts in Excel! Check linked data first. Use undo if needed. In this “Tips for Deleting Charts in Excel” section, we have two sub-sections. They give quick solutions to avoid deleting any necessary data and to quickly recover from any mistakes.

Tips for Deleting Charts in Excel-Deleting a Chart in Excel,

Image credits: chouprojects.com by Joel Washington

Check for Linked Data before Deleting

When removing a chart in Excel, it’s crucial to check for any linked data first. This helps ensure that the connected information won’t be impacted or lost when deleting the chart. Neglecting this step could cause adverse effects, leading to more work and frustration down the line.

It’s not advised to delete a chart before checking its underlying data first. To do this, select the chart and navigate to Design > Data > Edit Data in Excel. If there is an issue with linked cells or range names, resolve them before removing the chart.

It’s always essential to review your worksheet before proceeding by saving a backup copy of it or using undo after erring. Some other tips to consider are deselecting any grouped objects over it to avoid unintentional impacts and hiding any rows/columns that don’t have relevant data in charts for cleaner results.

Don’t worry about making mistakes when deleting charts in Excel, just use the undo function like it’s your own personal time machine.

Use the Undo Function if Needed

Using the ‘Undo’ function is a handy feature that can save you time when deleting Excel charts. Here is how you can use this function effectively.

  1. Click on the ‘Edit’ menu in Excel
  2. Select ‘Undo Delete Chart’
  3. Your deleted chart will appear in Excel again

It is essential to remember that using the Undo feature too many times may cause unwanted changes, so be cautious with how often you rely on it.

It would help if you also remembered that using the delete button is a final action. Once you press it, there is no going back unless you use the Undo option.

Deleting charts in Excel has never been easier, thanks to the program’s built-in features.

According to Microsoft Support, the Undo feature saves your previously made actions and helps you undo them if something diminishes your work’s quality or progress.

Five Facts About Deleting a Chart in Excel:

  • ✅ To delete a chart in Excel, select the chart and press the delete key. (Source: Excel Campus)
  • ✅ Alternatively, right-click the chart and select “Delete” from the context menu. (Source: Microsoft)
  • ✅ If you accidentally delete a chart, you can use the “Undo” command (Ctrl+Z) to restore it. (Source: Excel Easy)
  • ✅ Deleting a chart does not delete the underlying data, which can still be used for other charts or analysis. (Source: Exceljet)
  • ✅ It is a good practice to keep a backup of your Excel file before deleting any charts or data. (Source: Excel Tips)

FAQs about Deleting A Chart In Excel

1. How do I delete a chart in Excel?

To delete a chart in Excel, simply select it and press the delete key on your keyboard or right-click on the chart and select “Delete” from the drop-down menu.

2. Can I undo deleting a chart in Excel?

Yes, you can undo deleting a chart in Excel by pressing the “Ctrl” and “Z” keys on your keyboard or by clicking on the undo button in the toolbar.

3. What happens to the data used in a deleted chart in Excel?

The data used in a deleted chart in Excel remains in the spreadsheet and can be used to create a new chart.

4. Can I delete a chart without deleting the data in Excel?

Yes, you can delete a chart without deleting the data in Excel by selecting the chart and pressing the “Ctrl” and “C” keys on your keyboard to copy the data before deleting the chart.

5. How do I delete multiple charts at once in Excel?

To delete multiple charts at once in Excel, hold down the “Ctrl” key on your keyboard and select the charts you want to delete, then press the delete key or right-click and select “Delete” from the drop-down menu.

6. Is there a way to recover a deleted chart in Excel?

Yes, if you have saved your Excel file, you can recover a deleted chart by going to the “File” tab, selecting “Info,” clicking on “Manage Workbook” and then selecting “Recover Unsaved Workbooks.” If you have not saved your Excel file, unfortunately, the deleted chart cannot be recovered.

Auther name

Jacky Chou is an electrical engineer turned marketer. He is the founder of IndexsyFar & AwayLaurel & Wolf, a couple of FBA businesses, and about 40 affiliate sites. He is a proud native of Vancouver, BC, who has been featured on Entrepreneur.comForbesOberlo, and GoDaddy.