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How to Restore a Missing Box and Whisker Chart in Excel
Question details
The user needs to determine which versions of Excel support Box and Whisker charts and how to restore the chart option when it disappears from the ribbon.
- Product
- Microsoft Excel
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- Attempting to insert a Box and Whisker statistical chart but discovering the feature is missing or unavailable on the Insert tab.
- Observed behavior
- The Box and Whisker chart option is entirely missing from the Charts group on the Excel Insert ribbon.
Verify your Excel version before troubleshooting, as Box and Whisker charts are only natively supported in Excel 2016, Excel 2019, Excel 2021, and Microsoft 365.
Reset the Excel Ribbon to Default Settings
If you are using Excel 2016 or later and the chart option is missing, restoring the ribbon to its default layout will bring the feature back.
Sometimes, custom ribbon configurations or third-party add-ins can accidentally hide default tools. Resetting the ribbon will restore all standard tabs and commands without affecting your spreadsheet data.
Click on 'File' in the top-left corner of the Excel window and select 'Options' from the bottom of the menu.
In the Excel Options dialog box, select 'Customize Ribbon' from the left-hand navigation sidebar.
Locate the 'Reset' dropdown menu at the bottom right of the window. Click it and choose 'Reset all customizations'.
Click 'Yes' when prompted to delete all ribbon and Quick Access Toolbar customizations, then click 'OK' to close the settings window.
Navigate back to the 'Insert' tab and check the 'Charts' group. Click the 'Insert Statistic Chart' icon to find the Box and Whisker option.
Check Your Excel Version Compatibility
Ensure your Excel application natively supports the Box and Whisker chart tool.
Use WPS Spreadsheet for Seamless Data Visualization
WPS Office Spreadsheet provides robust data visualization tools, including built-in statistical charts like Box and Whisker, through an intuitive interface that keeps your workflow moving fast.
- 1. Open your data in WPS Spreadsheet: Launch WPS Office, open a new Spreadsheet, and select the dataset you want to visualize.
- 2. Navigate to the Insert tab: Click on the 'Insert' tab located in the top ribbon menu.
- 3. Select the Chart tool: Click the 'Chart' icon to open the comprehensive chart library dialog.
- 4. Insert the Box and Whisker Chart: Navigate to the 'Statistical' charts category, select 'Box and Whisker', and click OK to instantly generate your chart.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is the Insert Statistic Chart button greyed out in Excel?
The chart button may be greyed out if your document is saved in an older format like Compatibility Mode (.xls). You must save the file in the modern Excel format (.xlsx) to enable newer statistical charts like Box and Whisker.
How do I create a Box and Whisker chart in Excel 2013?
Because Excel 2013 does not have a built-in Box and Whisker chart option, you cannot insert one with a single click. You have to manually calculate quartiles and build a complex workaround using stacked column charts and custom error bars.
Will resetting the ribbon delete my custom Excel macros?
No. Choosing 'Reset all customizations' only reverts the tabs, groups, and buttons on the ribbon back to their default state. Your underlying macros, VBA code, and spreadsheet data will remain completely intact.
