VBA & Macro Problems

How to Identify or Assign an Excel Chart Number with VBA

WPS Content Manager Oct 1, 2026 869 views

Question details

The user needs to know how to identify and assign specific numbers or names to Excel charts programmatically using VBA.

How to Identify or Assign an Excel Chart Number with VBA

Product: Excel
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Writing a VBA macro that needs to reliably reference, identify, or rename a specific chart object within a worksheet.
Observed behavior: Excel manages charts using object names and collection indexes instead of fixed labels. Users need a reliable VBA method to reference and assign chart identifiers.

Before you start

Ensure you have enabled the Developer tab in your Excel ribbon and that macros are enabled in your workbook settings.

Solution 1Recommended

Assign and Reference Charts Using the Name Property

Using a specific string name provides the most stable identifier for a chart, avoiding issues when other charts are added or deleted.

When you assign a permanent name to a chart object, your VBA code can reliably find it regardless of its creation order.

Open the VBA Editor

Press Alt + F11 to open the Visual Basic for Applications Editor, then insert a new Module from the Insert menu.

Assign a Name Using the Index

Use the ChartObjects collection index to assign a custom name to the first chart: Worksheets("Sheet1").ChartObjects(1).Name = "Chart12".

Reference the Chart by Name

In your subsequent VBA code, use the new name to safely modify the chart: Worksheets("Sheet1").ChartObjects("Chart12").Activate.

Assign and Reference Charts Using the Name Property

Stable Referencing: Named references will not break if you insert or delete other charts on the same worksheet.

Solution 2

Identify Charts by Collection Index

Use the numeric index to reference a chart based on the order it was created or its Z-order on the sheet.

Advanced Spreadsheet Tool

Manage Spreadsheets and Macros Seamlessly with WPS Office

WPS Office provides excellent support for VBA macros and Excel (.xlsx, .xlsm) formats. You can effortlessly write, test, and run your VBA scripts for chart management within the highly compatible WPS Spreadsheet environment.

1. Install WPS Office: Download and install WPS Office, then open your .xlsm file in WPS Spreadsheet.
2. Open VBA Editor: Go to the 'Developer' tab on the ribbon and click 'Visual Basic' to access the VBA Editor.
3. Run Chart Macros: Write or paste your chart management macro code and run it seamlessly just as you would in Microsoft Excel.

Fully compatible with Microsoft Excel .xlsm and VBA macrosLightweight application with fast macro executionBuilt-in Developer tools for debugging VBA scriptsFree to download and easy to migrate existing workbooks

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Frequently Asked Questions

How do I find a chart's name without using VBA?

Click on the chart in your spreadsheet, and look at the Name Box located to the left of the formula bar. It will display the current name of the selected chart object.

Why am I getting a 'Subscript out of range' error?

This error usually happens if the worksheet name or the chart name/index does not exist. Verify the spelling of your sheet and chart names, and ensure the chart actually exists on the specified sheet.

How can I debug my VBA chart reference if it's failing?

Use the Immediate Window in the VBA Editor (Ctrl + G). You can type ?ActiveChart.Name or ?ActiveSheet.ChartObjects(1).Name and press Enter to print the identifier and confirm your reference is correct.

Can I change a chart name directly in the worksheet UI?

Yes, you can select the chart, click inside the Name Box next to the formula bar, type the new custom name (like 'Chart12'), and press the Enter key to save it.

Excel & Data Problems