Bottom line: Learn a few quick tips for working with multiple charts and shapes in your Excel Dashboards.
Skill level: Beginner
Select Multiple Charts or Shapes
The first step in working with multiple charts or shapes is selecting them. To select multiple objects:
- Select a chart by left-clicking the border with your mouse.
- Hold down the Ctrl key.
- Select another chart/shape.
Both charts will be selected and you can move, copy, align, or delete them.
Quickly Copy Charts with the Ctrl Key
The Move+Ctrl method is a quick way to make a duplicate copy of a chart.
- Select a chart by left-clicking the border with your mouse.
- Move the chart by dragging it with the mouse.
- Hold down the Ctrl key. An outline of the shape will appear.
Note: You must move the chart first before pressing the Ctrl key. - Release the left mouse button to make a copy.
Ctrl+D is another shortcut that will make a duplicate copy of the chart. You will typically still have to select and move the new chart though.
Copy and Align Chart or Shapes with Ctrl+Shift
This is one of my favorites because it keeps your charts or shapes aligned to perfection.
- Select a chart by left-clicking the border with your mouse.
- Move the chart by dragging it with the mouse.
- Hold down the Ctrl and Shift keys. An outline of the shape will appear.
- The new shape will stay aligned (either vertically or horizontally) with the original shape.
- Release the left mouse button to make a copy.
This one is great because it saves a step of then having to align a chart after you make a copy. It's a great trick to use when creating panel charts or dashboards.
Align Charts or Shapes with the Align Buttons
The Align buttons are located on the Format tab of the ribbon when multiple charts or shapes are selected. I frequently use these buttons to get my dashboards and reports looking just perfect. 🙂
- Select multiple charts using the Ctrl keys.
- Select from the Align options on the Format tab of the ribbon.
The Distribute buttons on the Align menu are also great for making the space between shapes equal.
Very useful because enhances productivity.
I’m curious, what software do you use to make those beatiful screencasts with animations?
Thanks,
Miguel
Thank you Miguel! I use Camtasia to record my screencasts and videos. It’s an awesome tool!
I really co’undlt ask for more from this article.
You are great Jon
I was able to copy shapes in the excel sheet, but suddenly I am unable to do so. What “switched off”?