How to Format Data Labels in Excel (Easy Steps)

Dataset Overview

To display formatted data labels in Excel, follow these steps using a dataset that includes country names and their corresponding sales amounts for fruits and vegetables:

How to Format Data Labels in Excel

Step 1 – Creating a Chart in Excel

Go to the Insert tab in the ribbon.
From the Charts group, select the Column chart option.

Choose the first chart from the 2-D Column section.

Add data to create your desired chart.
- Right-click on the blank chart and select Select Data.

- In the Legend Entries section, click on Add.

- The Edit Series dialog box will appear.
- Set a Series name and define the Series values.
- We define the Fruits column as Series Values.
- Click on OK.

Then, add another series called Vegetables.
- Define column D as Series Value.
- Click on OK.

In the Select Data Source dialog box, click on the Edit option from the Horizontal Axis Labels.

- In the Axis Labels dialog box, select column B as the Axis label range.
- Click on OK.

- Click on OK in the Select Data Source dialog box.

The following chart will display.

To modify the Chart Style, click on the Brush sign on the right side of the chart.
- Select any of your preferred chart styles.

As a result, the following chart will display as a final solution.

Step 2 – Adding Data Labels to Excel Chart

Right-click on any column in the Vegetables series.
Select Add Data Labels.

It will add data labels to all the columns of the Vegetables series.

Repeat the same process for the Fruits series.

Data labels will appear on all columns.

Step 3 – Modifying Fill and Line of Data Labels

Right-click on any data label.
Choose Format Data Labels.

In the Format Data Label dialog box:

- Modify the fill (e.g., change from No fill to Solid fill or Gradient fill).

As a result, we have the following chart.

- Then, change the Fill from Solid fill to Gradient fill.

It will give us the following result in the chart.

- Then change Fill from Solid fill to Picture or texture fill.
- Also change the texture color from the Color section.

As a result, we get the following results in the chart.

- Adjust the border (e.g., change from No line to Solid line or Gradient line).
- You can also change the Color and Width of the border.

We will get the following result.

- Change the border from a Solid line to a Gradient line.
- You can also change the Color and Width of the border.

Finally, we get the following result.

Read More: How to Edit Data Labels in Excel

Step 4 – Formatting Data Labels by Changing Effects

In the Effects section of the Format Data Labels dialog box:
- Modify the shadow option to create a shadow effect on the data labels.
- Adjust the preset and color of the shadow.

As a result, we will get the following results.

Explore the glow section by changing presets, colors, and setting the size (e.g., 10).

It will give the following result with the glow.

Step 5 – Modifying Size and Properties of Data Labels

Click on the third option in the Format Data Labels dialog box to modify alignment.
Change the vertical alignment to Middle centered to position data labels in the center.
You can choose other alignment options like top, bottom, middle, top centered, or bottom centered.

It will give the following results.

Adjust the text direction (horizontal, rotate 90 degrees, or rotate 270 degrees) using the Text direction dropdown.

Read More: How to Rotate Data Labels in Excel

Step 6 – Modifying Label Options to Format Data Labels in Excel Chart

Go to the fourth option in the Format Data Labels dialog box (label options).
In the Label Options section:
- Modify the label contains (include series name, category name, and value).
- Set the label position (default is outside end; try center, inside end, or inside base).