How to customize a chart in Google Sheets
Learn how to customize a chart in Google Sheets by editing titles, colors, legends, gridlines, and data labels in the Chart Editor.
Quick answer
Double-click any chart to open the Chart Editor, then select the Customize tab. From there, adjust chart and axis titles, series colors, legend position, gridlines, and data labels using each expandable section. Changes apply instantly, so you can preview edits before closing the editor and returning to your spreadsheet.
Steps at a glance
- Double-click the chart to open the Chart Editor
- Click the Customize tab in the side panel
- Edit chart title, subtitle, and axis titles
- Change series colors under the Series section
- Set legend position and font style
- Adjust gridlines, ticks, and data labels
- Close the editor to save your changes
Summary
The Chart Editor's Customize tab lets you control every visual detail of a Google Sheets chart, from titles and colors to gridlines and labels. Fine-tuning these settings turns a default, auto-generated chart into a polished visual that fits your report, presentation, or dashboard.
Step-by-step guide
Step 1
Open the chart you want to customize
Open your spreadsheet and double-click the chart you want to edit, or click the chart once and select the three-dot menu in its top-right corner, then choose Edit chart. This opens the Chart Editor panel on the right side of the screen. If you haven't built a chart yet, follow the steps to /guides/google-sheets/create-a-chart before customizing one.
Step 2
Switch to the Customize tab
In the Chart Editor, click the Customize tab at the top of the panel, next to Setup. This tab contains expandable sections for Chart style, Chart & axis titles, Series, Legend, Gridlines, and Data labels, depending on the chart type you're using.
Step 3
Edit chart and axis titles
Click Chart & axis titles to expand the section, then use the dropdown to select Chart title, Subtitle, or axis titles like Horizontal axis title. Type your text into the Title text box, then adjust the font, size, format, and color using the controls below it.
Step 4
Change series colors and style
Expand the Series section to control the color, line style, or point shape for each data series in your chart. Select a specific series from the dropdown menu at the top if you want to format one line, bar, or slice differently from the rest.
Step 5
Adjust the legend position
Expand the Legend section to choose where the legend appears, such as right, top, bottom, or none. You can also change the legend's font size, color, and style here. For more detail on positioning and formatting legends, see the guide on how to /guides/google-sheets/add-a-legend.
Step 6
Configure gridlines and data labels
Expand Gridlines and ticks to set how many horizontal or vertical gridlines appear, or turn them off entirely for a cleaner look. Expand Data labels to display exact values on bars, points, or slices, and adjust their font and position so they don't overlap the chart.
Step 7
Close the editor to save your changes
Once you're happy with the result, click the X in the top-right corner of the Chart Editor panel to close it. Google Sheets saves all customizations automatically, and the chart updates in place on your sheet.
Why this matters
You've built a chart for a client report or team presentation, but the default colors and generic title don't match your brand or make the data easy to scan. Customizing it lets you highlight key series, clarify axis labels, and present numbers that look ready to share, not left on default settings.
Frequently asked questions
Can I customize a chart without a paid Google account?
Yes. The Chart Editor and all Customize tab options are available on free personal Google accounts with no subscription required.
Will customizing a chart change my underlying data?
No. Formatting changes made in the Chart Editor only affect the chart's appearance and never alter the values in your spreadsheet cells.
Can I reuse the same custom style on another chart?
There's no one-click style copy feature, but you can manually match colors, fonts, and legend settings on a new chart, or duplicate the sheet containing your formatted chart.
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