In a PowerPoint chart, Data Labels are used to display various types of information. You can display the value, and/or the name of the Chart
Series, and/or the Categories right within or above the Series on the chart. Adding Data Labels can help the presenter reveal exact values along with
the Series, so that he or she need not check on the Value axis to
ascertain approximate values of any Series. In a default PowerPoint chart, you won't be able to see the Data Labels enabled, as shown in
Figure 1 below.
Figure 1: Data Labels are not visible by default in a PowerPoint chart
In this tutorial, let us learn how to add Data Labels to a chart in PowerPoint 2013. To
start with, you need a chart inserted and selected as shown in
Figure 1, above -- then follow these steps:
- Select the chart on your slide as shown in Figure 1. This brings up two Charts Tools
contextual tabs of the Ribbon -- select the Design tab
(highlighted in red within Figure 2). Then, click the Add Chart Element button (shown
highlighted in blue within Figure 2). This opens a drop-down gallery as
shown in Figure 2 -- within this drop-down gallery, select the Data Labels option to open a sub-gallery which
includes various options for the Data Labels (highlighted in green within Figure 2).
Figure 2: Data Labels sub-gallery
Alternatively, you can select the chart and click the Chart Elements button (the plus sign highlighted in
red within Figure 3). This opens the Chart Elements gallery. Within the
Chart Elements gallery, hover your cursor over the Data Labels option. This brings up a right-arrow as
shown highlighted in blue within Figure 3. Click this right-arrow to open the Data
Labels sub-gallery (highlighted in green within Figure 3) which includes various
options for the Data Labels.
Figure 3: Data Labels options
Both the Data Labels sub galleries shown in Figures 2 and 3 offer almost the same options -- except for
the fact that the latter does not provide the None option. However, if the check box next to the Data Labels option
is not selected (highlighted in orange within Figure 3), that is equal to selecting the
None option.
Let us explore the options within the Data Labels sub-galleries:
A. None
Selected by default, this option removes any existing Data Labels from the chart -- your chart may appear like what you saw previously
in Figure 1.
B. Center
When you select this option, the Data Labels are placed in such a position that they overlap the Series at the center, as shown in
Figure 4.
Figure 4: Position of Data Labels when Center option is selected
C. Inside End
When you select this option the Data Labels are placed overlapping the Series at the top area, as shown in
Figure 5.
Figure 5: Position of Data Labels when Inside End option is selected
D. Inside Base
When you select this option the Data Labels overlap the Series at the bottom area, as shown in Figure 6.
Figure 6: Position of Data Labels when Inside Base option is selected
E. Outside End
Places the Data Labels at the top of each Series as shown in Figure 7.
Figure 7: Position of Data Labels when Outside End option is selected
F. Data Callout
Places the Data Labels at the top of each Series and adds a
Rectangular Callout around each of them, as shown in
Figure 8. This is a new option in PowerPoint 2013 -- learn more about this option in our
Chart Data Callouts in PowerPoint 2013 for
Windows tutorial. You can also change the shape of the Data Callout from simple Rectangle to any other shape as explained in our
Change Callout Shapes for Data Labels in PowerPoint 2013 for
Windows tutorial.
Figure 8: Data Callouts added
G. More Data Label Options (More Options)
Summons the Format Data Labels
Task Pane that provides you with various options to
customize the appearance of your Data Labels, as shown in Figure 9. The options within this Task Pane are explained in our
Format Data Label Options for Charts in PowerPoint
2013 for Windows tutorial.
Figure 9: Format Data Labels Task Pane
- Select the Data Label options as required to add Data Labels to your chart.
- Save your presentation.
See Also:
Chart Data Labels in PowerPoint 2011 for Mac
