How to Resize the Chart Plot Area Using VBA in Excel - 3 Steps

Download Practice Workbook

Download the following practice workbook. It will help you to realize the topic more clearly.

Resizing Chart Plot Area Using VBA.xlsm

Step 1 – Populate the Dataset

The sample dataset showcases Month-wise Sales in 2 years.

Step 2 – Insert a Chart

Select the entire dataset.
Go to the Insert tab >> choose Insert Column or Bar Chart >> Clustered Column.

A chart will be displayed.

Similar Readings

Step 3 – Use a VBA Code to Resize the Chart Plot Area

Select the chart area and go to the Developer tab >> select Visual Basic.

Note: you can also open the VBA Editor by pressing ALT + F11.

Select Insert >> Module>> Module1.

Enter the following code in Module 1.

Sub Resize_Chart_Plot_Area()
  Dim ch1 As Chart, plot_height As Double, plot_width As Double
  Set ch1 = ActiveChart
  plot_height = ch1.PlotArea.Height: plot_width = ch1.PlotArea.Width
  ch1.Parent.Height = 225: ch1.Parent.Width = 550
  ch1.PlotArea.Height = 150: ch1.PlotArea.Width = 500
End Sub

Code Breakdown:

The Resize_Chart_Plot_Area Sub Procedure is created.
ch1 is declared as Chart and plot_height and plot_width as Double.
ch1 is set as ActiveChart.
plot_height is set to ch1.PlotArea.Height and plot_width to ch1.PlotArea.Width. The variable value is replaced with 150 and 500 for Plot Area height and width.
The chart height and width is changed to 225 and 550 using the Parent.Height and Parent.Width commands.
The End Sub stops the code.

Run the code by pressing F5.

The chart will automatically be resized:

Read More: Excel Area Chart Data Label & Position

How to Move a Chart to a Specific Cell with VBA in Excel

Open a new module and enter the following code:

Sub Relocate_Chart()
Dim ch1 As Chart
On Error Resume Next
    Set ch1 = ActiveChart
On Error GoTo 0
If ch1 Is Nothing Then
    MsgBox "Select the Chart First"
    Exit Sub
End If
Dim r As Range
Set r = Application.InputBox("Select the Range", "Range Selection", Type:=8)
ch1.Parent.Top = r.Top
ch1.Parent.Left = r.Left
ch1.Parent.Height = r.Height
ch1.Parent.Width = r.Width
ch1.Location xlLocationAsObject, r.Parent.Name
End Sub

Code Breakdown:

The Relocate_Chart Sub Procedure is created.
A MsgBox is set to be displayed when the chart is not selected. It will display: “Select the Chart First”.
r is set as Range and an InputBox command is inserted to select the range.
The chart is set to the selected range box.

Add a button utilizing the Form Controls in your worksheet. Named it Relocate.
Right-click the button and choose Assign Macro.

Select the Macro Relocate_Chart.
Click OK.

Select the range to place the chart.

See the output in the GIF below.

Practice Section

Practice here.

Get FREE Advanced Excel Exercises with Solutions!

2 Comments

Terry Hansen Jan 10, 2023 at 10:39 AM

Hi Sir,
Have a good day.
If i want to resize the plot area but my chart area need to be fixed. Can it be done? If yws, then what modification should be needed?
- Reply
  Fahim Shahriyar Dipto Jan 11, 2023 at 2:00 PM
  
  Hello Terry,
  It’s really nice to hear from you. In your query, you wanted to know about changing the plot area where the chart area will be the same. The VBA code needs to be modified a bit. I have attached the code below.
  Sub Resize_Chart_Plot_Area()
  Dim ch1 As Chart, plot_height As Double, plot_width As Double
  Set ch1 = ActiveChart
  chart_height = ch1.PlotArea.Height: chart_width = ch1.PlotArea.Width
  chart_height = ch1.PlotArea.Height: chart_width = ch1.PlotArea.Width
  ch1.PlotArea.Height = 150: ch1.PlotArea.Width = 400
  End Sub
  Run the code with the F5 key and it will change the plot area without changing the plot area.
  Have a great day.
  Regards,
  Fahim Shahriyar Dipto
  Excel & VBA Content Developer.

How to Resize the Chart Plot Area Using VBA in Excel – 3 Steps