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

We will be using the following dataset where we have some sales and expected sales values for some products.

excel data labels outside end

Example 1 – Using the Outside End Data Labels Option in Excel

This option is only available for Clustered Column charts, Clustered Bar charts and Pie charts.

Using Outside End Data Labels Option in Excel

Case 1.1 – Clustered Column Chart

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.
Go to the Insert tab and choose the Insert Column or Bar Chart dropdown.
Select the Clustered Column chart option.

You will get the following chart.

Click on the Chart Elements option.

Check the Data Labels option and click on the right-side arrow.
Select Outside End.
You can see different positions of data labels and choose to change the positions.

You will get the data labels at the outside end of the columns.

Read More: How to Add Data Labels in Excel

Case 1.2 – Clustered Bar Chart

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.
Select the Insert Column or Bar Chart dropdown and choose the Clustered Bar chart option.

Click on Chart Elements.

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

You will be able to move the data labels outside of the Bar chart.

Read More: How to Edit Data Labels in Excel

Case 1.3 – Pie Chart

We will place the data labels of a Pie chart on the outside end.

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

You will get the following chart.
Click on Chart Elements.

Check the Data Labels button and click to the right arrow.
Choose the Outside End option among various options.

You will be able to place the data labels on the outside end of the pie chart.

Example 2 – Customizing Data Labels for a Stacked Column Chart to Appear Outside in Excel

We’ll use the same dataset for the Stacked Bar chart.

Select the range, go to the Insert tab, choose Insert Column or Bar Chart, and select the Stacked Column chart option.

You will get the following stacked column chart.

Click on the Chart Elements option.
Check the Data Labels option and clic on the right arrow.
You won’t get the option called Outside End.

Add an extra column named Total.
Use the following formula in the column.

=C4+D4

formula

These three columns will be stacked as three series in the following chart.

Select the Total series and right-click.

Choose the Change Series Chart Type.

You will get the Change Chart Type dialog box.
Change the Chart Type of the Total series to a Line chart.
Press OK.

You will notice a difference in the Total series.
Select this series and go to the Chart Elements, then to Data Labels and Above.

The data labels will appear outside the columns.

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

The Format Data Series window will appear on the right pane.
Go to the Fill & Line tab and expand the Line tab, then choose No Line.

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.

You will get the following chart without data labels.

Practice Section

We have created a Practice section on the right side of each sheet.

Download the Practice Workbook

Outside End Data Labels.xlsx

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