Chart & Visualization Issues

Can You Select Multiple Data Points in an Excel Chart?

Huma Ashraf Ch Sep 25, 2026 869 views

Question details

The user wants to select and format multiple individual, nonadjacent data points within a single series in an Excel chart simultaneously without selecting the entire series.

Can You Select Multiple Data Points in an Excel Chart?

Product: Microsoft Excel
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Customizing the appearance of specific, nonadjacent data points within a complex chart containing multiple series.
Observed behavior: Excel allows the selection of a single data point or an entire data series, but there is no native way to select multiple individual, nonadjacent data points at the same time.

Before you start

Before attempting to format your chart, confirm which specific data points need to be highlighted. Since Excel does not natively support multi-point selection within a series, you will need to format them individually or adjust your source data.

Solution 1Recommended

Format Data Points Individually

Since there is no shortcut to select multiple nonadjacent points, the standard workaround is to select and format each point one by one.

While it may be slightly time-consuming for large datasets, this method gives you precise control over the formatting of individual data points without altering your source data structure.

Select the Data Series

Click once on any data point in the target series within your Excel chart. This action will highlight the entire series.

Select a Single Data Point

Click a second time directly on the specific data point you wish to format. You will notice that the selection handles now only appear around that single point.

Apply Custom Formatting

Right-click the selected data point and choose 'Format Data Point' from the context menu, or use the Format tab in the ribbon to change its color, border, or other attributes.

Repeat for Other Points

Repeat the process by clicking on the next data point you want to customize and applying the same formatting steps.

Use F4 to Repeat Action: After formatting the first data point, you can select the next individual data point and press the 'F4' key on your keyboard to quickly apply the exact same formatting.

Solution 2

Create a Separate Data Series

If you have many points to format, it is faster to group them into a new series in your source data so they can be formatted all at once.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use Ctrl+Click to select multiple data points in an Excel chart?

No, holding the Ctrl key while clicking does not allow you to select multiple nonadjacent data points in an Excel chart. The Ctrl+Click functionality is not supported for individual chart elements within a series.

How do I make sure I am selecting a single point and not the whole series?

First, click once on the data series to highlight all the points within it. Pause briefly, then click a second time directly on the specific point you want to select. You will see the selection nodes isolate around just that one point.

Can I format negative data points automatically without selecting them manually?

Yes. If your goal is to highlight negative numbers, you can select the entire series, right-click to choose 'Format Data Series', navigate to the Fill & Line options, and check the box for 'Invert if negative'. This allows you to set a specific color for all negative data points automatically.

Is it possible to use VBA to format specific multiple data points?

Yes, if you are comfortable with macros, you can write a VBA script that loops through the Points collection of a Series in your chart and applies specific formatting (like color changes) based on certain conditions or values.

Excel & Data Problems