How to Add Data Markers in Excel (2 Easy Examples)

Example 1 – Adding Data Markers in a Line Chart 

We have the following dataset shown in the B4:D13 cells below. The dataset shows the Month number, the Marketing Expense, and the Revenue in USD, respectively.

Steps:

• Select the C4:D13 cells.
• Go to the Insert tab.
• Click the Insert Line or Area Chart dropdown.

• Choose the Line with Markers option.

You can format the chart using the Chart Elements option.

• Enable the Axes Title to provide axes names. Here, it is the Month and US Dollar.
• Add the Chart Title, for example, Breakdown of Revenue and Marketing Expense by Month.
• Insert the Legend option to show the two series.
• Disable the Gridlines option to give your chart a clean look.

This should generate the chart as shown in the picture below.

• Right-click on any of the circular markers and go to the Format Data Series option.

• Choose Marker Options.
• Check the Built-in option .
• Select the Type of marker (here, it is a Rectangular marker).

Here are the markers.

Read More: How to Add Markers for Each Month in Excel 

Example 2 – Adding Data Markers in a Scatter Plot

Consider the Population Growth of UK and Germany dataset shown in the B4:D12 cells. The dataset shows each decade starting from the Year 1950 and the Populations of the UK and Germany in millions.

Step 1 – Adding a Scatter Plot

• Select the B4:C12 cells.
• Go to the Insert tab.
• Click the Insert Scatter (X,Y) or Bubble Chart drop-down.
• Choose the Scatter option.

You can edit the chart using the Chart Elements option.

• Enable the Axes Title to provide axes names. Here, it is the Year and Population in Millions.
• Insert the Legend option to show the series.
• Disable the Gridlines option.

Step 2 – Adding a Second Series

• Select the chart and right-click, then choose the Select Data option.

• Click the Add button to add the new series to the chart.

This opens the Edit Series dialog box.

• Enter the Series Name (here it is Germany’s Population)
• Enter the Series X values, for example, the Years.
• Enter the Series Y values, for instance, Germany’s Population.
• Press the OK button.

After completing the steps, the results should look like the screenshot given below.

Step 3 – Adding Data Markers

• Right-click on a single data value and go to the Format Data Series option.

• In the Marker section, click the Marker Options.
• Check the Built-in option.
• Select the Type of marker (here, it is a Diamond marker).

Here are the sample results for our dataset.

Read More: How to Change Marker Shape in Excel Graph

How to Change Data Markers

Steps:

• Select the chart.
• Right-click and choose the Format Data Series option.

• Go to the Marker Options and choose the Built-in option.
• From the Type drop-down, select the new shape for your data markers.

Here’s a sample result.

Read More: How to Make Legend Markers Bigger in Excel 

How to Make a Custom Data Marker

We have the Year column starting from 1950 and the Population in millions, respectively.

Step 1 – Add a Line Chart

• Select the C4:C12 cells.
• Go to the Insert Line or Area Chart dropdown.

• Choose the Line with Markers option.

Format the chart with Chart Elements.

Step 2 – Insert Shapes

• Go to the Insert tab.
• Select the Shapes drop-down.
• Choose any shape you like (we chose the Star shape).

• Insert this shape and press the Ctrl + C key to copy it.

• In the adjacent cell, right-click and go to Paste Options.
• Select the Paste as Picture option.

This produces an identical copy of the shape as a picture.

Step 3 – Use a Picture as a Data Marker

• Copy the picture with Ctrl + C.
• Go to the Format Data Series window.
• In the Marker section, choose the Fill option.
• Check Picture or texture fill button.
• Press Clipboard.

• In the Border section, select the No line option.

Here are our custom data markers.

How to Add Different Data Markers in an Excel Chart

Steps:

• Select the chart.
• Right-click and choose the Format Data Points option.

• Navigate to the Marker Options and choose the Built-in option.
• From the Type drop-down, select the shapes for your data marker.

• We’ve chosen the rectangular shape and a marker size of 8.

Repeat the process for each of the data markers, and you should get the output as shown in the image below.

Practice Section

We have provided a Practice section like below in each sheet on the right side so you can test these methods.

Download the Practice Workbook

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