Coding
The Chart Web Part in SharePoint 2013 turns raw data into interactive visuals without coding—if you set it up right.
Struggling to make sense of spreadsheets or lists? This tool lets you create charts in minutes, but only when you know the hidden tweaks for smooth performance. Below, I’ll walk you through the exact steps to connect data, pick the right chart type, and avoid the most common pitfalls.
How to add and configure the Chart Web Part in SharePoint 2013
The Chart Web Part in SharePoint 2013 lets you visualize data from Excel spreadsheets, SharePoint lists, or Business Data Connectivity (BDC) services. Whether you're tracking sales trends or project timelines, this tool turns numbers into intuitive graphs—but only if you configure it correctly.
I’ll walk you through adding it to a page and connecting it to your data sources, so you can start creating professional visualizations in minutes.
First, ensure your SharePoint 2013 environment has the Chart Web Part enabled. If you’re using Enterprise Edition, it’s typically pre-installed. For Foundation Edition, you may need to install the Business Intelligence Center feature.
Once confirmed, navigate to the page where you want to add your chart—either a Wiki Page, Web Part Page, or Dashboard Page. This flexibility lets you embed charts in almost any SharePoint context.
Now, let’s dive into the process with a clear, step-by-step approach. The Chart Web Part is powerful but requires precise configuration to avoid common pitfalls like broken data connections or misaligned visuals. Follow these steps to insert and configure it seamlessly:
Click the Edit button in the top-right corner of your SharePoint page. This opens the page in edit mode, allowing you to add new web parts.
From the Insert tab, select Web Part > Business Data > Chart. This adds the Chart Web Part to your page. If you don’t see this option, ensure the Business Intelligence Center feature is activated in Site Settings.
In the Chart Web Part tool pane, select your data source. Options include:
- Excel Services (for Excel workbooks stored in SharePoint)
- SharePoint Lists (for built-in list data)
- Business Data Connectivity (for external data like SQL or SAP)
Select the chart type that best fits your data. Common options include:
- Column (for comparisons over time)
- Pie (for proportional data)
- Line (for trends)
- Bar (for categorical comparisons)
Map your data fields to the chart axes. For example:
- Category (X-axis): Months or product names
- Value (Y-axis): Sales figures or quantities
- Series: Different product lines or regions
Adjust title, legend position, gridlines, and data labels in the Layout tab. For instance, add a title like “Q2 Sales Performance” and enable data labels to show exact values. These tweaks improve readability and professionalism.
Click OK to save and preview the chart. If the data doesn’t display, verify your data source permissions and connection settings. For Excel Services, ensure the workbook is published and the data range is correct.
Once satisfied, click Stop Editing in the top-right corner. Your Chart Web Part is now live and interactive. Users can hover over data points to see tooltips, and admins can update the underlying data without redesigning the chart.
After configuring the Chart Web Part, you might want to refine its appearance further. For example, changing the color scheme to match your brand or adjusting the font size for better visibility on large screens.
SharePoint 2013 offers limited customization compared to modern tools, but these adjustments can still make a significant difference. Pro tip: Use conditional formatting in your data source (like Excel) to dynamically highlight outliers, such as sales spikes or budget overruns.
One common challenge is ensuring the data source remains accessible. If your chart pulls from an Excel workbook, always store it in a SharePoint document library with proper permissions. For SharePoint lists, confirm the list columns match the fields you’ve mapped in the chart.
This attention to detail prevents errors like missing data or misaligned visuals, which can frustrate end users.
For advanced users, you can also connect the Chart Web Part to Business Data Connectivity (BDC) services. This opens up possibilities like pulling real-time data from SQL Server or ERP systems. However, BDC requires additional setup, including defining entity models and configuring security permissions.
If you’re new to this, start with Excel or SharePoint lists to build confidence before tackling external data sources.
Remember, the Chart Web Part in SharePoint 2013 is a gateway to turning raw data into actionable insights. Whether you’re tracking project progress or analyzing sales trends, mastering this tool will save you hours of manual data interpretation.
Start with simple charts, experiment with different data sources, and gradually explore advanced features like drill-down interactions or exporting to PowerPoint. Your data will thank you.
Customizing Chart appearance and data labels in SharePoint 2013
Elevating your SharePoint 2013 charts from basic to professional starts with customizing the appearance and data labels. The built-in Chart Web Part lets you modify colors, fonts, and legends to match your brand while ensuring data remains clear.
For example, you can replace default blues with your company's hex color codes (#2A5CAA) for consistency across reports.
Beyond aesthetics, conditional formatting lets you highlight key metrics dynamically—like turning negative values red or positive ones green. This visual cue helps stakeholders grasp insights at a glance. For instance, a line chart tracking sales trends can auto-highlight months where performance dipped below expectations.
Customization Options
| Feature | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|
| Color Themes | Brand alignment, improved readability | Limited to 10 custom colors |
| Font Customization | Professional typography, accessibility | No Google Fonts integration |
| Conditional Formatting | Dynamic data emphasis, quick insights | Requires manual rules setup |
| Data Labels | Clearer metrics, reduced ambiguity | Overcrowding in dense charts |
Tip: Use data labels sparingly for pie charts to avoid clutter.
To customize data labels, navigate to the Chart Options menu in the Web Part toolbar. Here, you can toggle labels on/off for series, categories, or values. For instance, adding percentage labels to a pie chart removes guesswork about segment sizes.
Pro tip: Use bold fonts for labels to ensure they stand out against busy backgrounds.
Legends are often overlooked but critical for clarity. You can reposition them (top, bottom, left, right) or even hide them entirely if your chart’s color scheme is intuitive. For example, a column chart comparing quarterly sales might not need a legend if each bar uses a distinct color.
Test readability by viewing the chart in grayscale—if colors alone convey meaning, the legend is redundant.
For advanced users, tool tips add interactivity by displaying detailed data when hovering. Enable this in the Advanced tab of the Web Part settings. Pair tool tips with conditional formatting to show only relevant data—like showing actual vs. target values when hovering over a bar chart segment.
This reduces visual noise while keeping key details accessible.
Remember, the goal is clarity, not complexity. Start with one customization—like adjusting font sizes—before layering in colors or formatting rules. SharePoint 2013’s Chart Web Part is powerful but has limits, so prioritize changes that directly improve data interpretation for your audience. 🖥️