How to Change the Plot Area Background Color in Spreadsheets 2013?

In Spreadsheets 2013, you can insert chart in spreadsheet to show data in a graph, in which data is represented by symbols, like bars, lines, or slices.

A chart is composed of these parts:

Chart Area
Legend
Plot Area
Category Axis
Value Axis
Value Axis Major Gridlines
Data Series

You can change the settings of each part of the chart. In this guide, we will show you the steps to change plot area background color.

Change plot area background color

Step 1 Select the plot area of the chart. If you are not sure which part of the chart is called plot area, see the following screenshot:

Figure 1 Plot Area

Note: Be careful not to select the horizontal grid lines running through the plot area rather than the background itself.

Step 2 Double click on the Plot Area to bring up the Plot Area Properties dialog. Here you can change the border color and style, and area background color of the plot. Choose a new color for plot area and press OK.

Figure 2 Plot Area Properties

Beside the above method, you can also highlight the chart, and go to Chart Tools tab. In the list box under Chart Tools, choose Plot Area, and then click on Format Chart to open Plot Area Properties (see Figure 2) directly. See following:

Figure 3 Format Plot Area in Chart Tools tab