Sometimes for data visualization, you may need to make a chart. If you are looking for how to use multiple colors in the background of a chart in Excel, then you have come to the right place. Today, in this article, I will explain how to use multiple colors in the background of an Excel chart. Furthermore, for conducting the session, I’m going to use Microsoft 365 version.
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3 Methods to Apply Multiple Colors in Excel Chart Background
Here, I will describe 3 suitable methods to use multiple colors in the background of an Excel chart. In addition, for your better understanding, I’m going to use a sample dataset. Which contains 3 columns. They are Month, Cost, and Sales. The dataset is given below.
For conducting the session, I have to make an Excel chart. Basically, there is a built-in process in Excel for making charts under the Charts group Feature. In addition, you can use Line Charts Feature to make a line chart in Excel. The steps are given below.
Steps:
- Firstly, you have to select the data. Here, I have selected the range B4:D11.
- Secondly, you have to go to the Insert tab.
- Thirdly, from the Charts group section you may choose 2-D Line >> then choose Line with Markers.
Furthermore, there are 6 features under the 2-D Line. Along with that, you can choose as your requirement. Here, I have used Line with Markers.
As a result, you will see an Excel chart with White background.
Now, let’s see how to use multiple colors in the background of an Excel chart.
1. Use of Chart Options Feature
Here, you can use the Chart Options under the Format Chart Area feature to color the background for an Excel chart. Let’s have a look at the steps below.
Steps:
- Firstly, select the chart.
- Secondly, double-click on the chart area.
As a result, you will see a new window named Format Chart Area at the rightmost corner of the Excel sheet.
- Now, from the Chart options >> go to the Fill & Line menu.
- Then, from the Fill options >> choose the Gradient Fill.
- After that, move the Gradient stops arrow.
- Lastly, select your preferred color from the Color.
Finally, you will get the chart with multiple colors in the background.
Read More: How to Make a Graph or Chart in Excel (Complete Video Guide)
2. Creating Threshold Lines to Color Chart Background in Excel
There is another way for coloring the background with multiple colors in the Excel chart. That is, you may create some other straight lines and then you can easily use their color as background colors. Now, let’s see the steps below.
Steps:
- Firstly, write down some threshold values just beside the chart data according to the highest value of your data. Here, you should take the color range according to your data.
- Now, select the Chart.
- Then, drag the selected data range up to your color series.
As a result, you will see the following chart with your color series.
- After that, right-click on the chart.
- Subsequently, from the Context Menu Bar >> choose Change Chart Type.
At this time, a new window named Change Chart Type will appear.
- Firstly, from the Combo chart >> select Custom Combination. A Combo chart is not a unique type of chart. Here, Combo comes from the word “Combination”. So, a Combo chart means the combination of two or more charts.
- Secondly, change the color series chart type into the Stacked Area chart.
- Thirdly, mark the Secondary Axis for them.
- Lastly, press OK.
- Now, double-click on the Data Series for colors.
As a result, you will see a new window named Format Data Series at the rightmost corner of the Excel sheet.
- Now, from the Series options >> go to the Fill & Line menu.
- Then, from the Fill options >> select your preferable color from the Color.
Similarly, you may change the color of the other Stacked areas. Lastly, you will see the chart with multiple colors in the background.
Read More: How to Change Chart Style in Excel (with Easy Steps)
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3. Applying Series Option to Color Chart Background in Excel
Again, there is a way for coloring the background with multiple colors in the Excel chart. That is, you may create some Bar charts and then you can easily use their color as background colors. Now, let’s see the steps below.
Steps:
- Firstly, write down some threshold values just beside the chart data according to the highest value of your data. Here, you should keep the color range in between the maximum value of your data.
- Now, select the Chart.
- Then, drag the selected data range up to your color series to include them in the chart.
As a result, you will see the following chart with your color series.
After the selection of the chart, there will be two more Design contextual tabs, one is Chart Design, and another is Format.
- Then, from the Chart Design tab >> choose Change Chart Type.
At this time, a new window named Change Chart Type will appear.
- Firstly, from the Combo chart >> select Custom Combination. A Combo chart is not a unique type of chart. Here, Combo comes from the word “Combination”. So, a Combo chart means the combination of two or more charts.
- Secondly, change the color series chart type into the Stacked Column chart. Here, you can see the preview immediately.
- Thirdly, press OK.
As a result, you will see the following chart.
As a result, you will see a new window named Format Data Series at the rightmost corner of the Excel sheet.
- After that, from the Series Options >> go to the Series Options menu.
- Then, make the Gap Width to 0.
- Now, from the Format tab >> go to the Shape Style.
- Then, from the Shape Fill >> choose a light color.
- Similarly, change the colors of the other data series.
Lastly, you will get the following chart with multiple colors in the background.
Read More: How to Change Series Color in Excel Chart (5 Quick Ways)
Charts with Multiple Colors at Vertical Positions of Background in Excel
In this section, we will make the background of an Excel chart with multiple colors but will keep the color context vertical. Now, let’s see the steps below.
Steps:
- Firstly, write down some threshold values just beside the chart data according to the highest value of your data. Here, you should take the color range according to your data. Also, you should write them in the following way as I have written.
- Now, select the Chart.
- Then, drag the selected data range up to your color series.
As a result, you will see the following chart.
- Here, to open the window named Change Chart Type, you should follow method-3.
- Then, from the Combo chart >> select Custom Combination. A Combo chart is not a unique type of chart. Here, Combo comes from the word “Combination”. So, a Combo chart means the combination of two or more charts.
- Now, change the color series chart type into the Stacked Column chart. Here, you can see the preview immediately.
- Finally, press OK.
Lastly, you will see the following chart with a vertical color combination in the background.
Read More: How to Keep Excel Chart Colors Consistent (3 Simple Ways)
Practice Section
Now, you can practice the explained method by yourself.
Conclusion
I hope you found this article helpful. Here, I have explained 3 suitable methods about how to color the chart background with multiple colors in Excel. You can visit our website Exceldemy to learn more Excel-related content. Please, drop comments, suggestions, or queries if you have any in the comment section below.
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Multiple Colors at Vertical Positions example helped, thank you!
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