How can I export shapes and text boxes along with my Excel Chart

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Written by Julien Villemonteix | Updated

Problem Description

In the example below, a source text box and an image have been added to the bottom of the chart. If you wish to export them to PowerPoint along with your chart, you may find that it does not always work. That's because there are two kinds of shapes: 

  • Shapes in the chart
  • Shapes on the chart

If the shape is in the chart, it will be included in the export. If not, it will be ignored. To check if the shape is in or on, simply try to move it outside the chart. If it moves outside, the shape is on and cannot be exported directly.

How to put shapes in the chart

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For an existing shape, you can put it back in.

  1. Cut the shape
  2. Select the chart
  3. Paste

To create new shapes:

  1. Ensure that the chart is selected
  2. Click insert shape
  3. Draw the shape directly over the chart
Tip
If you need to export shapes which overlap the chart or simply several charts simultaneously, you can also export the cells behind (see this post).