I was reading the book Data Story by Nancy Duarte recently and in it she mentions highlighting a column to draw focus to it. Here’s one way to do that in Excel.
In the image below we have a basic data table that is the source for a standard clustered column chart.
We want to add the ability to select one of the states to highlight it on the chart.
First, I will change the column chart series to a light grey.
You can select the data series and use the Fill Colour icon on the ribbon or toolbar to do this.
We can insert two columns. Column C is headed Highlight and column D is headed Choose.
Select the range D2:D7 and click the Insert ribbon tab and click the Checkbox icon. This inserts a checkbox above each cell in the range as per the image above.
Enter the following formula in cell C2 and copy it down.
=B2*D2Tick one of the checkboxes.
Select the range C2:C7 and copy it. Select the chart and press Ctrl + V.
Right click the grey columns on the chart and choose Format Data Series.
On the right of screen in the Task pane change the Series Overlap to 100%.
I have added the title back and the chart is ready to use.
You can use the check boxes to change the highlighted column.
