How do I create new default color settings for charts in Excel?

[pro user]

I do not like the default color settings for my charts in Excel. I always end
up modifying them extensively. I'd like to make as few changes as possible
when my charts are created. Can I set new color defaults for charts created
in Excel?

 

[Andy Pope]

Hi,

You can set the colours for chart lines and fill. Menu Tools > Options.
On the Color tab is a set of colours for Line and Fill.

Cheers
Andy

 

[pro user]

Your suggestion allows me to modify the color palette from which I can select
certain colors. However, my desired fill color is not applied as the default.
Excel still uses its own default gray background, which I have to modify
using the your suggested color palette.

 

[Jon Peltier]

You can create a custom chart type, which is more work but also more
powerful than changing the default colors:

http://peltiertech.com/Excel/ChartsHowTo/CreateCustomTypes.html

- Jon
-------
Jon Peltier, Microsoft Excel MVP
Peltier Technical Services
Tutorials and Custom Solutions
http://PeltierTech.com/
_______

 

[Ed Ferrero]

Hi pro user,

This is still very much a beta, but you could download the 'Colour Palette
Tool' from
http://www.edferrero.com/charting.aspx. It provides an easy way to build
nicely graded
colour palettes (and to save and retrieve them using very small files).

Of course, if you already have a palette that you use extensively, just save
a blank workbook with that palette in the XLstart folder. This is usually
found at either
C:\Documents and Settings\YourUserName\Application Data\Microsoft\Excel
C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\Office11
(or just search for it)

Ed Ferrero
Microsoft Excel MVP
http://www.edferrero.com