How to apply font formatting to a chart

In this video, we'll look at some ways you can apply font formatting to a chart.

In this worksheet we have a chart with basic formatting.

If you want to apply a certain font, font color, or font size globally to a chart, the fastest way is to use either the home tab on the ribbon, or the Font command in the right-click menu.

In either case, start by selecting the chart area.

On the Home tab of the ribbon, you can use the font controls on the font area.

With the chart area is selected, these changes are global and affect all text in the chart, including the chart title, axis labels, legend and so on.

For example, I can change the font size to 12, and make all text blue. 

Note this also affects text that's not visible. If I enable the legend, that text is now blue as well.

Another way to make global font changes quickly is to right click the chart and select Font from the menu.

As before, with the chart area selected, changes you make here will affect all the elements in the chart.

You can also make changes to a single element in the chart.

For example, if I select the chart title, I can change the color to red.

Then use the Font menu to make the text blue again.

The same is true with other elements in the chart.

Now with the chart title, you also have the option of formatting with the mini toolbar. Click once to select, then double-click to select text and bring up the toolbar.

Curiously, the format task pane does not have font name or font size settings.

If I select an element and visit Text Options, we'll see only text fill and text outline controls.

There's also a group of special effects that you should probably never use, and generic options for text boxes.

In summary, when you change font settings, the Home tab of the ribbon, or the right-click Font menu are your best options.

Finally, remember that you can use the Reset to match style command to revert a chart to its original font settings.