Chart & Visualization Issues

Where to Find Area Charts in Excel for Mac (Microsoft 365)

Olivia Miller Sep 25, 2026 869 views

Question details

The user is trying to find Area charts in Excel for Mac but they are missing from the main chart list.

Where to Find Area Charts in Excel for Mac

Product: Excel for Mac (Microsoft 365)
Device & OS: macOS
Scenario: Inserting a new Area chart or changing an existing chart to an Area chart in Excel version 16.77.
Observed behavior: Area charts are not visible in the main chart list or the Change Chart Type menu.

Before you start

Ensure that your data is properly formatted with clear column headers and numeric values before inserting a chart.

Solution 1Recommended

Locate Area Charts Under the Line Chart Group

In newer versions of Excel for Mac, Area charts have been grouped together with Line charts to streamline the ribbon interface.

Microsoft frequently updates the Office 365 interface. In version 16.77 and later, Area charts share a menu with Line charts because they represent similar continuous data trends.

Select Your Data

Highlight the cells containing the data you want to visualize, including the headers.

Go to the Insert Tab

Click on the 'Insert' tab located in the top ribbon menu.

Open the Line Chart Menu

In the Charts group, click on the 'Line' chart icon (it looks like a line with markers).

Select an Area Chart

In the drop-down menu that appears, look for the 2D Area, 3D Area, or Stacked Area options and click your preferred style.

Locate Area Charts Under the Line Chart Group

Change Chart Type: If you are trying to change an existing chart, right-click the chart, select 'Change Chart Type', and look under the 'Line' category to find Area charts.

Solution 2

Use the macOS Menu Bar to Insert Area Charts

You can bypass the ribbon entirely and use the traditional Apple menu bar at the top of your screen.

Solution 3

Update Microsoft Excel

If you still cannot see the Area chart options under the Line menu, your Office installation might need an update or repair.

Free Microsoft Office alternative

Create Beautiful Charts Easily with WPS Office

Struggling with changing menus and hidden features in Microsoft Excel? WPS Office provides an intuitive, classic interface where Area charts and other visualizations are always easy to find. It is a highly compatible, lightweight, and free alternative for Mac users.

1. Download WPS Office: Visit the official WPS website and download the free version for macOS.
2. Open Your Spreadsheet: Launch WPS Spreadsheet and seamlessly open your existing Excel files.
3. Insert an Area Chart: Select your data, go to the Insert tab, and click directly on the dedicated Area Chart icon.

Familiar and intuitive interface makes finding chart tools effortlessFully compatible with Microsoft Excel (.xlsx, .xls) formatsLightweight application that runs smoothly and fast on macOSCompletely free to use with rich data visualization features

Frequently Asked Questions

Why did Microsoft move the Area chart location on Mac?

Microsoft frequently streamlines the Office 365 ribbon to save space. Because Area charts and Line charts represent similar continuous data trends, they were grouped together under a single menu icon in newer versions like 16.77.

How do I change an existing column chart to an area chart?

Right-click your existing chart and select 'Change Chart Type'. In the dialog box that appears, navigate to the 'Line' category. You will find all the Area chart variations listed there.

Are Area charts available in Excel for the Web?

Yes. Similar to the newer Mac versions, you can find Area charts in Excel for the Web by navigating to the Insert tab, clicking the Line chart drop-down arrow, and selecting an Area chart style.

Excel & Data Problems