18. Custom Chart Fills
PPT 2007  |  PPT 2003
Download Image Fill PowerPoint - 164k

Are your presentations filled with bar charts and data driven diagrams? Are there a couple of key charts that you would like your audience to remember? An easy way to enhance these charts is by inserting images into the bars.

Before

After

Insert and Prep Your Chart
After inserting your chart in PowerPoint, begin by removing any unnecessary elements. One option is to delete the y-axis and the background lines, and then list the data above the chart bars. This will make the chart easier to understand and focus on.

Select the Fill Images
Once you feel that the layout of your chart is streamlined, it is time to locate images for your fills. Images of physical items typically do not work as well as items that are more obscure or abstract. For this example, a mountain scene and sunset was selected from the sample images that are located on most people's computer. If you do not have sample images on your computer, you can use images that you have taken from a digital camera, or purchase images from a variety of sites. We recommend www.istockphoto.com. Images are $5-20 each.

Inserting the Image
Click on any bar in your chart. The green "Chart Tools " tab will appear on the ribbon. Click on the "Format" or "Layout" tabs (shown below).

On the far left, click the "Format Selection" button. A "Format Data Series" window will pop up.

Alternatively, you can right click on any bar within the chart, and select "Format Data Series". This will also open the "Format Data Series" window.

In the "Format Data Series" window, select the "Fill" tab. This window contains all of the options for changing the color and pattern of the bars in the chart. Click the "Insert from File" button, and select the image you wish to use.

After selecting the image, click on the "Close" button. Your bars should now be filled in with the image selected.

If your chart is 3D, double-click on the floor and repeat these steps. It is best to use a color or image that will contrast with the colors of your bars; in this case the red sunset.

For this example, the default selections for "Apply to" and "Stretch options" were not altered, however we recommend experimenting. Also, the images you select are embedded into the file; in other words you do not have to worry about links and keeping the images with the file. Lastly, it is best to use images that do not have straight horizontal lines. This may give the illusion of stacked bars.

For assistance with image fills in charts, or if you would like to see how Visual Content Solutions would enhance your charts, click here.