Now, just below, there is a section called Shapes, Just Select Show Marker.

Changing line color to white does not help as it actually is white and if that overlaps with columns, then you can see white lines.

I am not trying to modify the look of the legend but I want to show a value using columns and another using markers only.

Excel Make Legend Just Show Symbol Not Line Series And Important

If you find it rather bland, you can replace that default legend with one that identifies the series and important data.

It compares monthly commission earnings for four employees during 2011.

There are many ways to improve this chart, but well concentrate on enhancing the legend.

In this case, well delete the existing legend and add a message for each employee via a text box.

What do you want to convey The possibilities are endless but keep the message simple and to the point.

For instance, in this case, well use the text box legends to compare 2011 earnings to 2010.

Doing so will require a bit of setup in the data range, and thats why I recommend keeping things simple.

Row 15 contains SUM() functions; row 16 contains literal values (just to simplify the example).

Lastly, the formula in C19, concatenates the result of these formulas with the series title, which in this case, is each employees last name.

Now, youre ready to add the text box legends to the actual chart, as follows.

Be sure to match the right series color when coloring the text box.

I chose to use individual formulas to return each message component so you could easily follow the process.

Youre free to position and format the text box legends in any way you like.

Excel Make Legend Just Show Symbol Not Line Update Values In

If you update values in the data range, the messages in the text box legends will update accordingly.

Previously, she was editor in chief for The Cobb Group, the worlds largest publisher of technical journals.