4 Ways To Add Chart Title in Microsoft Excel

If someone asks you how to add a title to an Excel chart do you find yourself pausing, scrambling through menus, or second-guessing where to click? Well, not anymore!

Today, I’ll show you the simple and effective methods for adding chart titles in Excel so you won’t find yourself in any awkward situations the next time. Also, when you add a chart title, you give context to graphs so the audience or reviewers can easily understand the chart. Now, let’s get started!

Using the Chart Title Button

The Chart Title option is the default option to add a title to your charts and graphs. It’s readily available on the chart you’re editing. It’s the easiest and the most accessible way to create a chart title.

Chart Elements tool
Chart Elements tool

Navigate to the chart you need to edit and click on it to bring up the Chart Elements tool. It’s the plus sign showing up in the top right corner.

Click on the Chart Elements button and a context menu will appear.

Chart Title field
Chart Title field

Checkmark the checkbox for the Chart Title option.

A chart title will show up at the top of the selected graph.

Centered overlay
Centered overlay

This is the default location for all chart titles. If you wish to change the position, click on the Chart Title extension arrow. You’ll get more options, like the Centered Overlay and Above Chart.

The default chart title text is the column header of the data points you’ve used for the Series plot.

Using the Chart Design Menu

Chart Design menu
Chart Design menu

The Chart Design tab allows you to customize your charts in Excel heavily so you can make those look the way you prefer. This menu will only show up when you select a chart in the active worksheet. Once the Chart Design tab is available, click it to reveal its commands. The Chart Layouts command block has two command buttons to add chart titles. Here’s how to use those:

Add Chart Element

Above Chart in Add Chart Elements
Above Chart in Add Chart Elements

Click on the Add Chart Element button in the Chart Layouts command block of the Chart Design tab.

Hover the cursor over the Chart Title option.

Choose a position for the title field from the context menu. You can choose between the Above Chart and the Centered Overlay option.

You should see the title field in the selected chart.

If there is more than one chart in the same worksheet, you must click the appropriate graph object to add or modify the chart title for that specific graph.

The Chart Design tab is different for each graph so you must click on the correct one before adding the chart title.

Right click Format Chart Title
Right click Format Chart Title

If you need to customize the title further, click on the chart title field, right-click, and choose the Format Chart Title option.

The Format Chart Title navigation pane will show up on the right side.

Title Options
Title Options

There, you can modify the Chart Title object or the shape by customizing the attributes, like Fill & Line, Effects, and Size & Properties in the Title Options tab.

Text Options
Text Options

Contrarily, if you wish to change the text in the Chart Title field, you can use the Text Options tab. Here, you get modifiable attributes, like Text Fill & Outline, Text Effects, and Textbox.

Quick Layout

Quick Layout
Quick Layout

If you’re in a hurry and don’t want to customize the chart title much or any title will do for you select your chart and click on the Quick Layout command in the Chart Layouts commands block.

A context menu will open with 11 pre-configured chart layouts.

Layout 1
Layout 1

Hover the mouse cursor over a design, like Layout 1 to find out the chart elements you’ll get. For example, here are the chart components of Layout 1:

  • Chart Title
  • Legend (Right)
  • Horizontal Axis
  • Vertical Axis
  • Major Gridlines
How to add chart title in Excel using Quick Layout
How to add chart title in Excel using Quick Layout

Click on a chart style you like to apply the layout to your graph.

Using a Text Box

Using a Text Box object for a chart title in Excel is helpful when you need more customization options. The default Chart Title tool has limited formatting features, making it hard to style the text fully. A Text Box lets you apply advanced text options like gradient fills, shadows, or custom font styles for a more professional look.

Another benefit of using a Text Box is its flexibility in placement. Unlike the default title, which is fixed to certain positions, you can move it anywhere on the worksheet. Text Boxes can also link to cell values, updating the title automatically when the data changes. This is useful for dynamic reports and dashboards.

Text command
Text command

To add a fixed chart title using this method, click on the Text Box button inside the Text commands block of the Insert tab.

Draw a Text Box
Draw a Text Box

The mouse cursor will change to a crosshair. Use that to draw a text field on the chart.

Type in a Text Box
Type in a Text Box

Once the chart drawing is complete, a blinking cursor will appear inside the Text Box. Use that to type the chart title text.

Format Shape navigation pane
Format Shape navigation pane

To customize the Text Box and its contents, click on its border, right-click, and choose the Format Object option.

The Format Shape navigation panel will show up on the right side. You’ll find multiple style and shape modifications under the Shape Options and Text Options tabs.

Now, if you wish to add a dynamic chart title, follow the above steps to add a Text Box.

Format Shape navigation pane
Format Shape navigation pane

Then, click on the outside border of the Text Box and click on the Formula Bar.

Here, you can now type in a complete formula or simply add a cell address where the dynamically changing chart title is located.

Hit Enter to calculate Text Box
Hit Enter to calculate Text Box

Hit Enter to create the chart title in the text box.

Adding a Chart Title on a Mobile Phone

You usually edit your charts to perfection on a Windows PC or Mac. However, there are times when you need to make quick changes on the go. For those moments, using the Excel mobile app on your Android or iPhone can be a lifesaver. Knowing how to edit charts on the app is a useful skill. It helps you handle unexpected situations with ease and confidence.

Now, let me show you below how to add chart titles in Excel on an Android and iPhone:

Adding a Chart Title on an Android

Open the Excel worksheet containing the source chart you need to edit and tap on it.

Tap up arrow
Tap up arrow

A menu bar will show up at the bottom.

Tap on the up arrow on the right edge of the bottom menu bar.

Elements in Android
Elements in Android

The Chart editing menu will show up from the bottom of the screen.

Tap on the Elements menu to open its options.

Chart Title Android
Chart Title Android

In the Elements menu, you should find the Chart Title option. Tap on that.

Choose one chart title type option from two default options. These are the Above Chart and Centered Overlay.

Adding a Chart Title on an iPhone

Select chart and tap Elements

Open an Excel sheet containing a graph to which you wish to add a chart title. Tap on it to get the chart editing menu bar at the bottom of the app.

Select the fourth tab or the Elements menu at the bottom.

Choose Chart Title iOS
Choose Chart Title iOS

The Elements menu will open from the bottom of the app.

Centered Overlay iOS
Centered Overlay iOS

Tap the Chart Title option in Elements.

You can now select any of the chart title types from the next menu. These options are the Centered Overlay and Above Chart.

That’s it! You’ve successfully added a chart title in a chart in Excel.

📚 Read more: If you liked this Microsoft Excel tutorial on Excel Charts check out the following guides too to learn the must-know Excel Chart-making skills:

Conclusions

Now you know how to add titles to Excel charts in various ways, including the Chart Title button on a chart, the Chart Design tab, and by adding an ad-hoc Text Box.

Also, you’ve learned how to add chart titles in Excel mobile apps for Android and iOS devices.

Did you learn a new Excel skill today? Or perhaps, do you have a suggestion for this Excel tutorial? Let me know by typing your comment below.

About the Author

Bipasha Nath

Bipasha Nath

Bipasha is a technical content writer with 10+ years of experience in the technology industry. She previously worked in a SaaS software development company focused on SharePoint, OneDrive, Word, Excel, Word solutions.

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