Want labels that show more than the plotted value — a name, a percent, a note? Build the label text in a column and use Value From Cells to put your own text on each data point.
The example
Helper column of custom labels for each point.
| A | B | C | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Item | Value | Label |
| 2 | East | 4200 | East: $4,200 |
| 3 | West | 3850 | West: $3,850 |
The formula
Compose labels, then point the series at them:
How it works
Value From Cells lets labels be anything:
- Build a label column with a formula — combine names, values, percents, or notes however you like.
- Right-click the data series and choose Add Data Labels.
- Open Format Data Labels, check Value From Cells, and select your label range.
- Uncheck Value if you don’t also want the raw number — otherwise both show.
Smart labels: show a label only for the biggest point, or flag outliers, by making the helper formula conditional — =IF(B2=MAX(values), "★ "&B2, B2). Empty strings produce no label, so you can label just the points that matter.
Try it: interactive demo
Build a label from name + value.
Variations
Label only the max
Conditional label:
Percent of total
Share label:
Name + percent
Combine:
Pitfalls & errors
2013 or later. Value From Cells doesn’t exist before Excel 2013; older versions need an add-in or manual labels.
Uncheck Value. If you leave “Value” ticked alongside “Value From Cells,” each point shows two labels.
Range must match point count. The label range needs one cell per data point, in the same order.
Practice workbook
Frequently asked questions
How do I put custom text on chart data labels in Excel?
How do I label only certain points?
Why do my points show two labels?
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