Changing Shapes in Microsoft Graph

Written by Allen Wyatt (last updated January 7, 2021)
This tip applies to Word 97, 2000, 2002, and 2003

Microsoft Graph is a simple graphing program provided with Word. It includes the ability to view your graph data in both spreadsheet and graph formats. The graphs you create can be inserted directly into your documents.

Once you have defined the type of chart you want to use to display your data, you may want to change the actual shapes used for a particular data series. You can change shapes for most three-dimensional chart types, but not for the two-dimensional ones. You can change shapes for a data series by following these steps:

Right-click on any element of the data series you want to change. Microsoft Graph displays a Context menu.
Choose Format Data Series from the Context menu. Microsoft Graph displays the Format Data Series dialog box.
Make sure the Shape tab is selected. (See Figure 1.)

Figure 1. The Shape tab of the Format Data Series dialog box

Select a shape you want to use for the data series.
Click on OK.

WordTips is your source for cost-effective Microsoft Word training. (Microsoft Word is the most popular word processing software in the world.) This tip (707) applies to Microsoft Word 97, 2000, 2002, and 2003.

Author Bio

Allen Wyatt

With more than 50 non-fiction books and numerous magazine articles to his credit, Allen Wyatt is an internationally recognized author. He is president of Sharon Parq Associates, a computer and publishing services company. Learn more about Allen...

MORE FROM ALLEN

Resizing Table Columns with the Mouse

Once a table is inserted in your document, you can use the mouse to adjust the width of columns. The effect the mouse ...

Discover More

Assigning a Macro to a Shortcut Key

Do you have a macro that you use frequently? Using the File menu to access the macro can be time consuming. This tip ...

Discover More

Easily Adding Blank Rows

Want to add a bunch of blank rows to your data and have those rows interspersed among your existing rows? Here's a quick ...

Discover More

Comprehensive VBA Guide Visual Basic for Applications (VBA) is the language used for writing macros in all Office programs. This complete guide shows both professionals and novices how to master VBA in order to customize the entire Office suite for their needs. Check out Mastering VBA for Office 2010 today!

More WordTips (menu)

Changing the Default Chart Type

If you don't have Excel installed on your system, Microsoft Graph is a handy way to create simple charts for your ...

Discover More

Inserting Datasheet Rows or Columns

Microsoft Graph provides a handy way to add simple charts to your document without the need for Excel. Those charts are ...

Discover More

Selecting Fonts for a Chart

Microsoft Chart uses text to label items in a chart. Here's how to change the font used for that text.

Discover More

FREE SERVICE: Get tips like this every week in WordTips, a free productivity newsletter. Enter your address and click "Subscribe."

View most recent newsletter.

Comments

If you would like to add an image to your comment (not an avatar, but an image to help in making the point of your comment), include the characters [{fig}] (all 7 characters, in the sequence shown) in your comment text. You’ll be prompted to upload your image when you submit the comment. Maximum image size is 6Mpixels. Images larger than 600px wide or 1000px tall will be reduced. Up to three images may be included in a comment. All images are subject to review. Commenting privileges may be curtailed if inappropriate images are posted.

Notify me about new comments ONLY FOR THIS TIP

Notify me about new comments ANYWHERE ON THIS SITE

Hide my email address

What is 0 + 7?

There are currently no comments for this tip. (Be the first to leave your comment—just use the simple form above!)

This Site

Got a version of Word that uses the menu interface (Word 97, Word 2000, Word 2002, or Word 2003)? This site is for you! If you use a later version of Word, visit our WordTips site focusing on the ribbon interface.