Add and delete charts

You can display your data using 2D, 3D, and interactive charts.

In Numbers, you can’t type data directly into a blank chart; rather, chart data comes from tables that already have data.

There are two ways to create a chart. You can add a blank chart, then select the table cells with the data you want to use. Or, you can select table cells first, then create a chart that displays the data. Either way, when you change the data in the table, the chart updates automatically.

You can import a spreadsheet with charts from Microsoft Excel. In Numbers, the charts might not look exactly like they did in Excel, but the data they display is the same.

Tip: To see examples of different chart types, explore the Charting Basics template in Numbers. Choose File > New (from the File menu at the top of your computer screen), then click Charting Basics from the Basic template category. Each sheet explains a different type of chart.

Create a new chart then add data

  1. Click Chart in the toolbar, then select a type of chart; click the tabs at the top of the pop-up menu to see 2D, 3D, or interactive chart options.

    If you add a 3D chart, you see a rotation control at its center. Drag this control at any time to adjust the chart’s orientation.

  2. Click Add Chart Data below the chart. If you don’t see Add Chart Data, make sure the chart is selected.

  3. Click the table cells with the data you want to use. Drag to select a range of cells; to add data from an entire row or column, click the bar for that row or column.

    You can select cells from one or more tables, including tables on different sheets. While you’re editing a chart’s data references, Chart icon appears on the tab for any sheet that contains data used in the chart.

  4. To change whether rows or columns are plotted as data series, choose an option from the pop-up menu in the bar at the bottom of the window.

    Bar showing options to plot rows or columns as series
  5. Click Done at the bottom of the window.

You can adjust the data range reflected in the chart at any time. To learn how, see Modify chart data references.

Use existing data to create a chart

  1. Select the table cells with the data you want to appear in the chart. To add data from an entire row or column, click the table, then click the bar for that row or column.

    You can select cells from one or more tables, including tables on different sheets. While editing a chart’s data references, Chart icon appears on the tab for any sheet that contains data used in the chart.

  2. Click Chart in the toolbar, then select a type of chart; click the tabs at the top of the pop-up menu to see 2D, 3D, or interactive chart options.

    If you add a 3D chart, you see a rotation control at its center. Drag this control at any time to adjust the chart’s orientation.

  3. To change whether rows or columns are plotted as data series, click Edit Data References, then choose an option from the pop-up menu in the bar at the bottom of the window.

    Bar showing options to plot rows or columns as series
  4. Click Done at the bottom of the window.

You can adjust the data range reflected in the chart at any time. To learn how, see Modify chart data references.

Delete a chart

  • Select the chart, then press Delete.

Deleting the table data you used to create the chart doesn’t delete the chart; it simply clears the chart of all data.