How to Create a Multi-Section Excel Column Chart with a Custom Data Table in WPS Office
Question details
The user wants to format a column chart that summarizes multiple process sections, individual steps, and section totals when the built-in chart data table is too limited.
- Product
- WPS Office Spreadsheet
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- Creating a process summary chart with grouped sections and a custom data table beneath the chart.
- Observed behavior
- The built-in chart data table offers limited formatting and cannot reproduce the desired custom layout.
Prepare your source data with columns for process section, individual step, and section total. Decide the rows and column widths for the manual table so it can align with the chart plot area.
Create the Column Chart and Build a Custom Data Table Beneath It
Use this method when the built-in chart data table cannot display section headings, individual steps, totals, and notes in the required layout.
The built-in chart data table in WPS Office and Excel has limited formatting. A separate cell range below the chart gives you full control over borders, shading, labels, and notes while the chart still uses the process data.
Open WPS Spreadsheets, select the process data including section and step columns, go to Insert > Chart, and choose a clustered column chart.
Click the chart, open Chart Elements, and clear Data Table so the restricted built-in table does not appear.
In cells directly beneath the chart, type section headings, individual step labels, section totals, and any notes in the order you want them displayed.
Apply borders, fill colors, font styles, and column widths to the range, then resize or move the chart so the plot columns line up with the table entries.
Compare the chart categories with the manual table, adjust row heights or column widths as needed, and save the workbook.
Create a Multi-Section Column Chart with a Custom Data Table in WPS Office
WPS Office lets you create the clustered column chart from your process data and build a manually formatted cell range below it for section headings, step labels, totals, and notes, giving you full layout control while keeping file compatibility with Microsoft Excel.
- 1. Open Your Process Data in WPS Spreadsheets: Open WPS Office and create or load the workbook that contains your process sections, individual steps, and section totals.
- 2. Insert a Clustered Column Chart: Select the process data, go to Insert > Chart, choose a clustered column chart, and set the category and series fields to match your process layout.
- 3. Remove the Built-in Data Table: Click the chart, open Chart Elements, and turn off the data table so the limited built-in table does not appear.
- 4. Build the Custom Data Table Below the Chart: Enter section headings, step labels, totals, and notes in cells beneath the chart; use borders, fills, and column widths to align them with the chart columns.
- 5. Align and Save the Workbook: Drag or resize the chart and table so they align visually, then save the workbook as .xlsx to share with Excel users.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use the built-in Excel chart data table for a multi-section column chart?
The built-in chart data table has limited formatting and cannot reliably show section headings, per-step labels, and totals in custom positions. Use a manually formatted cell range below the chart instead.
How do I align a custom data table with the column chart in WPS Office?
After creating the chart, place a cell range directly below the plot area, match the column widths to the chart columns, use borders and shading, and drag the chart so it sits directly above the table.
Will the manual data table update automatically when the chart data changes?
No, a manual data table is a separate range. You need to update the cells when the source data changes, or use formulas in the table cells to link them to the source data.
Can I save this workbook and open it in Microsoft Excel?
Yes, WPS Office saves .xlsx files, and the chart plus the manually formatted data table remain compatible with Microsoft Excel.
