Formatting the Border of a Legend

When you create a chart in Excel, the Wizard that you follow may create a chart legend, depending on the type of chart you are creating. Normally, the appearance of the legend will be acceptable for the type of chart you are creating. You have complete control, however, over how the legend appears.

One of the elements you can change is the type of border Excel places around the legend. To change the appearance of the legend's border, follow these steps if you are using a version of Excel prior to Excel 2007:

1. Click once on the legend to select it. Handles should appear around the perimeter of the legend.
2. Choose Selected Legend from the Format menu. Excel displays the Format Legend dialog box.
3. Make sure the Patterns tab is selected. (Click here to see a related figure.)
4. Use the Style drop-down list to select a different border style for the legend.
5. Use the Color drop-down list to change the color of the border.
6. Use the Weight drop-down list to specify how heavy the border should appear.
7. Use the Shadow check box to control if Excel adds a drop-shadow to the legend.
8. Click on OK.

If you are using Excel 2007, follow these steps instead:

1. Right-click on the legend to display a Context menu, then select Format Legend. Excel displays the Format Legend dialog box.
2. Use the Border Color option to change the color of the border.
3. Use the Border Styles option to select different border styles and weights for the legend.
4. Use the Shadow option to specify the type of shadow you want applied to the legend.
5. Click on OK.