How to Quickly Create Graphs in Excel with Keyboard Shortcuts
Are you looking for a fast and easy way to createΒ graphs in Microsoft Excel? Using keyboard shortcuts is the quickest method to insert a chart based on your data. In this article, weβll show you the step-by-step process to make a graph in Excel using just your keyboard.
I have also included a handy cheat sheet of keyboard shortcuts to create Graphs in Excel easily and quickly at the end of this article!
Why Use Keyboard Shortcuts for Making Graphs in Excel?
Keyboard shortcuts allow you to perform tasks much faster than using your mouse to navigate through menus and ribbon options in Excel. Benefits ofΒ using keyboard shortcuts for graphsΒ include:
- Speed up your workflow and save time
- Reduce repetitive stress from using a mouse
- Work more efficiently with large datasets and complex spreadsheets
- Impress your colleagues with your Excel proficiency!
For those frequently needing to create charts to visualize data, learning the keyboard shortcut for graphs is a must-have skill.Β Mastering Excel charting shortcutsΒ will dramatically improve your productivity.
Step-by-Step Guide: Shortcut for Graph in Excel
Follow these simple steps toΒ quickly insert a graphΒ in Excel using only your keyboard:
- Select the data you want to include in your chart. Make sure to highlight the cells containing both the data values and the row/column labels. You can useΒ Shift + Arrow keysΒ to easily expand your data selection.
- PressΒ Alt + F1Β on your keyboard. This is the shortcut for creating a chart in Excel.
- Excel will automatically insert aΒ column chartΒ based on the selected data, placed as an object within the current worksheet.
- If you want to change theΒ chart type, pressΒ Ctrl + 1Β to open the βFormat Chart Areaβ pane on the right. This pane contains all the options for customizing your chartβs appearance.
- PressΒ TabΒ until the βChart Optionsβ menu is selected, then use theΒ Up/Down arrowsΒ to browse through the chart types. Youβll see options like line, pie, bar, area, scatter, and more. PressΒ EnterΒ to apply your selected chart type and the graph will update.
- To add or removeΒ chart elementsΒ like a title, legend, data labels, axis labels, gridlines etc., pressΒ Ctrl + 1Β to open the βFormat Chart Areaβ pane again if needed.
- PressΒ TabΒ multiple times to move through the options in the βFormat Chart Areaβ pane until you reach the βChart Optionsβ section.
- Use theΒ Up/Down arrowsΒ to select which chart elements to add. PressΒ SpacebarΒ to check/uncheck the box for each element. The chart will automatically update in real-time as you make changes.
- To edit theΒ style and colorΒ of the chart, navigate to the βChart Stylesβ section in the Format Chart Area pane usingΒ TabΒ and theΒ arrows. UseΒ SpacebarΒ to cycle through the preset color palettes and chart styles.
- When youβre done editing the chart, pressΒ Ctrl + EnterΒ to apply your changes and return to the regular Excel worksheet view.
Thatβs it! With the Alt + F1 shortcut and a few additional keystrokes, you can create and customize a chart without ever touching your mouse.Β Practice this shortcutΒ frequently and it will quickly become muscle memory.
Examples of Excel Chart Shortcuts in Action
Here are some examples demonstrating how to make specificΒ types of graphs in Excel using keyboard shortcuts:
Shortcut for Line Graph in Excel
- Select your data range
- PressΒ Alt + F1Β to insert a column chart
- PressΒ Ctrl + 1Β to open Format Chart Area pane
- PressΒ TabΒ until βChart Typeβ is selected
- UseΒ arrow keysΒ to choose βLineβ
- PressΒ EnterΒ to apply line graph
- Customize line colors, markers, labels etc. usingΒ Tab,Β arrows, andΒ Spacebar
Shortcut for Pie Graph in Excel
- Highlight cells with data for pie chart
- HitΒ Alt + F1Β to create chart
- PressΒ Ctrl + 1Β for Format Chart Area
- PressΒ TabΒ to reach βChart Typeβ
- UseΒ arrowsΒ to select βPieβ
- PressΒ EnterΒ to insert pie graph
- Add data labels, adjust colors withΒ Ctrl + 1,Β Tab, andΒ arrow keys
Shortcut for Bar Graph in Excel
- Choose data range for bar chart
- PressΒ Alt + F1
- PressΒ Ctrl + 1
- Navigate withΒ TabΒ to βChart Typeβ
- UseΒ arrowsΒ to find βBarβ
- HitΒ EnterΒ for bar graph
- UseΒ SpacebarΒ to toggle between horizontal and vertical bars
Keyboard Shortcuts for Editing Chart Data
In addition to formatting, you can also useΒ keyboard shortcuts to edit the underlying dataΒ of your Excel graph:
- To edit a data point, select the chart and pressΒ Ctrl + Shift + Right/Left arrowΒ to select a specific data series
- Then pressΒ Ctrl + Shift + Up/Down arrowΒ to highlight an individual data point
- PressΒ F2Β to enter edit mode, make your changes, then pressΒ Enter
- To add a new data series, select the chart and pressΒ Ctrl + Shift + Right arrowΒ until a blank data series is selected, then enter your values
- To remove a data series, select it withΒ Ctrl + Shift + Right/Left arrowΒ and pressΒ Delete
Remember, any changes made to the chart data will also update the linked cells in your worksheet.
Handy Excel Graph Shortcut Cheat Sheet
Hereβs a quick reference guide with the essentialΒ keyboard shortcuts for graphs in Excel:
Shortcut | Action |
---|---|
Alt + F1 | Insert chart based on selected data |
Ctrl + 1 | Open Format Chart Area pane |
Tab | Move between options in Format Chart Area |
Arrows | Navigate menus and chart type gallery |
Spacebar | Check/uncheck chart elements or cycle through styles |
Enter | Select menu option or chart type |
Ctrl + Enter | Exit chart editing and return to sheet |
Ctrl + Shift + Arrow | Select data series or point for editing |
F2 | Edit selected data point |
Delete | Remove selected data series or chart element |
Print this cheatsheet or bookmark this page to keep these shortcuts handy!
Tips for Working with Excel Graph Shortcuts
A few tips to streamline your workflow whenΒ creating charts in Excel via keyboard:
- Pre-select your dataΒ before starting the chart shortcut to save a step. Include data values and labels.
- Excel defaults to aΒ column chart, so youβll almost always need to change the chart type with Ctrl + 1 after inserting.
- Use directional arrows deliberatelyΒ in the Format Chart Area pane to get to your desired options quickly.
- Have a clear visionΒ of how you want your final chart to look to avoid wasting time with trial-and-error formatting.
- Double-check your data selectionΒ if the chart looks incorrect after inserting β itβs easy to accidentally grab the wrong cells.
- Save complex or frequently used charts asΒ templatesΒ to quickly reproduce them.
- UseΒ Ctrl + Shift + arrow keysΒ to rapidly edit data points right in the chart.
- Donβt forget theΒ Delete keyΒ to quickly remove unwanted chart elements or data series.
- Experiment with different chart types and stylesΒ to find the most effective ways to visualize your data.
With practice, youβll be able to make sophisticated graphs and charts in mere seconds using these shortcuts!
Final Thoughts
Learning theΒ shortcuts for making graphs in ExcelΒ is one of the best ways to speed up your workflow and become a spreadsheet power user. The Alt + F1 shortcut instantly transforms selected data into a chart, while additional keys allow you to change the type, style, structure, data, labels, and other elements without ever reaching for your mouse.
Mastering Excelβs charting keyboard shortcutsΒ will dramatically boost your efficiency in visualizing and reporting data. Try out these shortcuts and youβll be amazed at how quickly you can create compelling, professional-quality charts. Over time, youβll naturally memorize theΒ key combinations for the graph options you use most, and significantly streamline your Excel productivity!
FAQs
What is the keyboard shortcut for creating a chart in Excel?
The keyboard shortcut for creating a chart in Excel is Alt + F1. This shortcut will instantly create a chart based on the data you have selected in your worksheet.
How do I change the chart type using keyboard shortcuts in Excel?
To change the chart type using keyboard shortcuts, press Ctrl + 1 to open the βFormat Chart Areaβ pane. Then, use the Tab key to navigate to the βChart Optionsβ menu and use the Up/Down arrows to select your desired chart type. Press Enter to apply the changes.
Can I add or remove chart elements using keyboard shortcuts?
Yes, you can add or remove chart elements using keyboard shortcuts. Press Ctrl + 1 to open the βFormat Chart Areaβ pane, then use the Tab key to navigate to the βChart Optionsβ section. Use the Up/Down arrows to select the chart element you want to add or remove, and press Spacebar to check or uncheck the box for that element.
How do I edit the data of a chart using keyboard shortcuts?
To edit a specific data point in a chart, select the chart and press Ctrl + Shift + Right/Left arrow to select the data series. Then, press Ctrl + Shift + Up/Down arrow to highlight the data point you want to edit. Press F2 to enter edit mode, make your changes, and press Enter to apply the changes.
Is there a quick way to remove a data series from a chart using keyboard shortcuts?
Yes, to remove a data series from a chart using keyboard shortcuts, select the chart and press Ctrl + Shift + Right/Left arrow until the data series you want to remove is selected. Then, press the Delete key to remove the selected data series from the chart.

Vaishvi Desai is the founder of Excelsamurai and a passionate Excel enthusiast with years of experience in data analysis and spreadsheet management. With a mission to help others harness the power of Excel, Vaishvi shares her expertise through concise, easy-to-follow tutorials on shortcuts, formulas, Pivot Tables, and VBA.