How to Add Outside End Data Labels in Excel (2 Examples)

You can follow this article if you are looking for ways to add outside-end data labels in Excel. In this article, you will get to know 2 different ways of doing this task; using options, and customizing labels. Outside-end data labels are only sometimes available for all charts, but you can customize the data label positions according to your needs.
So, let’s get into the main article.

How to Add Outside End Data Labels in Excel: 2 Suitable Examples

For demonstrating the examples of this article, we will be using the following dataset where we have some actual sales, and expected sales values for some of the products.

For creating this article, we have used Microsoft Excel 365 version. However, you can use another version according to your necessary.

Example-1: Using Outside End Data Labels Option in Excel

In this example, we will use the Outside End option to fix the positions of the data labels outside the bars or graphs. But this option is only available for Clustered Column charts, Clustered Bar charts, Pie charts, etc. So, in this section, we will demonstrate these charts with the first two columns of this dataset below.

1.1. Clustered Column Chart

Here, we will create a Clustered Column chart for the Actual Sales values of the products and then define the position of the data labels.

Select the range, and then go to the Insert tab >> Insert Column or Bar Chart dropdown >> Clustered Column chart option.

As a result, you will get the following chart.

Now we will add the data labels at the end of these columns.

Click on the Chart Elements option.

Check the Data Labels option >> click on the right-side arrow >> Outside End.

Here, you can see different positions of data labels and you can choose to change the positions.
By choosing various options you can change data label positions in Excel 2016 also.

In this way, you will get the data labels at the outside end of the columns.

Read More: How to Add Data Labels in Excel

1.2. Clustered Bar Chart

Here, we will form a Clustered Bar chart for the actual sales of the following products and then fix the positions of the data labels outside the bars.

Select the range, and then go to the Insert tab >> Insert Column or Bar Chart dropdown >> Clustered Bar chart option.

In this way, you will have the following chart.

Click on Chart Elements.

Check the Data Labels button, and click on the right-side
Choose the Outside End option among various options.

Following this process, you will be able to move the data labels outside of the Bar chart.

Read More: How to Edit Data Labels in Excel

1.3. Pie Chart

Here, we will place the data labels of a Pie chart on the outside end.

Select the range, and then go to the Insert tab >> Insert Pie or Doughnut Chart dropdown >> 2-D Pie chart option.

In this way, you will have the following chart.

Click on Chart Elements.

Check the Data Labels button, and click on the right-side
Choose the Outside End option among various options.

Eventually, you will be able to place the data labels on the outside end of the pie chart.

Example-2: Customizing Data Labels for Stacked Column Chart to Appear Outside End in Excel

Here, we will show the ways to customize your data labels’ position to the outside end for a Stacked Column chart. The same thing can be done for the Stacked Bar chart also.

Select the range, and then go to the Insert tab >> Insert Column or Bar Chart dropdown >> Stacked Column chart option.

Then, you will have the following stacked column chart.

If we go to this path, like clicking on the Chart Elements option >> checking the Data Labels option >> clicking on the right-side arrow, then we will have no option called Outside End.

So, we cannot directly enter the data labels to the outside end.
We have to do some extra steps like the following.

Add an extra column named Total, where use the following formula, to sum up, the previous two columns.

=C4+D4

Then, these three columns will be stacked as three series in the following chart.

Now, we will change the chart type for the series created by the Total column,

Select the Total series and then right-click.

Choose the Change Series Chart Type.

Afterward, you will have the Change Chart Type dialog box.

Change the Chart Type of the Total series to a Line chart.
Press OK.

Then, you will notice a difference in the Total series.

Select this series, and go to the Chart Elements >> Data Labels >> Above.

After that, the data labels will appear outside the columns.

Now, we will hide the line series.

Select the line chart, and right-click on it.
Choose Format Data Series.

Later, the Format Data Series window will appear on the right pane.

Go to the Fill & Line tab >> expand the Line tab >> choose No Line.

Finally, we will have the labels outside of the stacked columns.

Read More: How to Format Data Labels in Excel

How to Remove Outside End Data Labels in Excel

You can also remove the data labels from your chart if the labels consume extra space in your chart.

Select the labels and press the DELETE key.

Then, you will get the following chart without data labels.

Practice Section

To practice by yourself, we have created a Practice section on the right side of each sheet.

Download Practice Workbook

Outside End Data Labels.xlsx

Conclusion

In this article, we have discussed various ways to add outside-end data labels in Excel. Hope these examples will help you a lot. If you have any further queries, then leave a comment below.

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