Fix Cannot Use Value From Cells for Excel Chart Data Labels on Mac
Question details
The user cannot find or use the Value From Cells option for Excel chart data labels in Excel for Mac 16.16, even after checking the Format Data Labels pane.
- Product
- Microsoft Excel for Mac
- Device & OS
- macOS
- Scenario
- The user wants to bind chart data labels to worksheet cell values instead of using the default label text.
- Observed behavior
- The Value From Cells option is missing or unavailable in the Format Data Labels pane on Excel for Mac 16.16.
Open the workbook, select the chart, and check whether the Format Data Labels pane shows a Value From Cells button. Also note your Excel for Mac version from Help > Check for Updates before troubleshooting.
Update Excel for Mac and Recheck the Value From Cells Option
Use this solution first because newer Office for Mac builds can restore the Value From Cells button for chart data labels.
This issue is often version-specific. Excel for Mac 16.16 can be updated through Microsoft AutoUpdate, but some builds may still lack the Value From Cells feature even after updating.
In Excel for Mac, go to the Help menu and select Check for Updates.
Allow Microsoft AutoUpdate to update itself first, then download and install any available Excel or Office updates, and restart Excel.
Select the chart, right-click a data label or the data series, and choose Format Data Labels.
In the Format Data Labels pane, look under Label Options for the Value From Cells button. If it is visible, select it and choose the worksheet range to use.
Use Linked Text Boxes to Display Cell Values as Chart Labels
Use this manual workaround when Value From Cells is unavailable, so labels still update when the referenced cell changes.
Switch to WPS Office Spreadsheets for Chart Labels on Mac
If older Excel for Mac builds do not support Value From Cells chart labels, WPS Office provides a free, lightweight Office alternative for Mac with a familiar spreadsheet interface and full compatibility with Excel XLSX files, so you can migrate the same workbook and complete chart formatting without upgrading Microsoft Office.
- 1. Download WPS Office Free: Go to the WPS Office download page and install WPS Office on your Mac.
- 2. Open the workbook: Launch WPS Spreadsheets and open the existing XLSX workbook.
- 3. Format the chart labels: Select the chart, go to Chart Tools, open Add Chart Element or Data Labels, and check the label source options for cell values.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is the Value From Cells option missing in Excel for Mac?
It is often missing in older builds such as Excel for Mac 16.16. Open Excel, go to Help > Check for Updates, install available updates, and then reopen Format Data Labels to check whether the option appears.
Can I update Excel for Mac if Microsoft AutoUpdate does not update itself?
Yes. In Excel, go to the Help menu and select Check for Updates. Microsoft AutoUpdate should update itself first and then show the available Office updates. If it still does not, download Microsoft AutoUpdate from the Microsoft download page.
How do I add cell-based labels without the Value From Cells option?
Insert a text box from the Insert tab, click its border, type =SheetName!Cell in the formula bar, and press Enter. Then position the text box over the chart data point. The text updates when the linked cell changes.
Will WPS Spreadsheets open my Excel chart when I switch?
WPS Spreadsheets opens and saves Excel XLSX files, and you can usually edit the chart through the Chart Tools ribbon. After opening the workbook, select the chart and check the available data label options.
Do I need a Microsoft 365 subscription to fix this issue?
No. You can keep using Excel for Mac with linked text boxes for labels, or use WPS Office Free to open and edit the workbook without a Microsoft 365 subscription.
