Office for Mac Issues

How to Fix Cannot Insert Charts in Word for Mac (Chart Type Error)

Rana Garcia Oct 9, 2026 868 views

Question details

The user is unable to insert standard charts into a document due to a false error message about combining chart types.

How to Fix 'Cannot Insert Charts' Error in Word for Mac

Product: Microsoft Word for Mac
Device & OS: macOS
Scenario: Attempting to insert a standard chart (such as a 2-D Column) into a Word document via the Insert menu.
Observed behavior: Word displays a blocking error message stating 'Some chart types cannot be combined with other chart types,' even when no chart combination is being used, preventing chart insertion.

Before you start

Ensure your macOS and Microsoft Office application are updated to their latest versions, as outdated software can often cause unexpected chart rendering glitches.

Solution 1Recommended

Insert Chart via Standard Menu and Check for Updates

Follow the standard procedure to insert a 2-D column chart. If the error persists, updating the Office suite may resolve known bugs.

Sometimes the error is triggered by improper selection or a glitch in a specific version of Word for Mac. Following the precise insertion path or updating the software is the primary fix.

Position your cursor

Open your document in Word for Mac and click exactly where you want the new chart to be placed.

Select the chart type

Navigate to the top menu ribbon, click 'Insert', and select 'Chart'. Choose 'Column' under the '2-D Column' category, pick your preferred style, and click 'OK'.

Update Microsoft Office

If the error message still appears, go to the top menu bar, click 'Help', and select 'Check for Updates' to install the latest patches for Word.

Insert Chart via Standard Menu and Check for Updates

Gathering Information for Support: If updating doesn't work, note your Word version (Word > About Microsoft Word) and macOS version (Apple menu > About This Mac) before contacting Microsoft Support.

Solution 2

Use Excel as a Workaround to Copy and Paste Charts

Bypass the Word insertion error entirely by creating your chart in Microsoft Excel and copying it over to your Word document.

Free Microsoft Office alternative

Use WPS Office to Seamlessly Insert Charts in Documents

If Microsoft Word for Mac continues to display frustrating chart type errors, consider switching to WPS Office. It provides a lightweight, highly compatible, and free alternative with a flawless document creation experience.

1. Download WPS Office: Download and install the free version of WPS Office for Mac from the official website.
2. Open your document: Launch WPS Writer and open your existing .docx file.
3. Insert your chart: Navigate to 'Insert' > 'Chart' and easily add your required visual data without encountering the chart combination glitch.

Fully compatible with Microsoft Word (.docx) and Excel (.xlsx) file formats.Insert 2D and 3D charts easily without unexpected combination errors.Lightweight software that runs exceptionally smoothly on macOS.Familiar user interface requires zero learning curve for Office users.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does Word for Mac say 'Some chart types cannot be combined' when I'm not combining them?

This is a known glitch in certain versions of Microsoft Word for Mac. The software misinterprets the request to insert a standard 2-D chart as an attempt to create an invalid combo chart. Updating the application usually resolves this bug.

Where can I find my exact Word for Mac version number?

To check your version, open Microsoft Word, click on 'Word' in the very top Apple menu bar, and select 'About Microsoft Word'. A dialog box will appear displaying your exact version number and license type.

Will pasting a chart from Excel into Word keep the data linked?

Yes. When you copy a chart from Excel and paste it into Word, macOS typically embeds or links the data by default. You can click the small 'Paste Options' icon that appears next to the pasted chart to ensure it is linked to the original Excel data.

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