How to replace columns with pictures in a column chart

I found an interesting chart on CNN's website: Rise of the supersize rugby player It shows the average height of athletes for the past 40 years. Check it out.

It made me think how can I do this in Excel? First I drew this nice man, see the image below. I am going to use this picture in my chart. It is not as nice as the other chart but it will do for this demonstration.

I searched for average heights around the world and found some statistics: Wikipedia. I chose a few countries and built a small data set, I will use this data in my example chart.

1. Create a column chart

1. Select the data, see image above.
2. Go to tab "Insert" on the ribbon.
3. Select a new clustered column chart.

Back to top

2. Delete the chart legend

1. Click the chart legend to select it.
2. Press Delete on your keyboard to remove it from the chart.

Back to top

3. Change chart gap width

1. Right-click on the data series.
2. Click "Format Data Series...". You will now see a dialog box or a settings pane depending on what Excel version you are using.
3. Click Series Options.
4. Change gap width to 20%.
   
5. Close the dialog box.

Back to top

4. Insert a picture to chart column

1. Click "Fill and Line"
2. Click "Picture or texture fill".
3. Click the "Insert.." button.
   
4. A dialog box appears. Select a picture file you want to use.
5. Click Insert.

Back to top

5. Change min y-axis value

1. Right-click on chart y-axis, see image above. A popup menu shows up.
2. Click "Format axis..."
3. Click "Axis Options".
   
4. Change the minimum value to 0 (zero).
5. Click OK.

Back to top

Back to top

Read more

Build a comparison chart  | Add pictures to a chart axis | An animated bar chart | Highlight a bar in a chart | Heat map using pictures | Use a map in an excel chart

Back to top