How to Add a Legend to a PowerPoint Chart

How to Create a Legend in PowerPoint

Updated on:

May 25, 2026

By:

Use this interactive demo to learn how to add and position a legend on your PowerPoint chart.

Quick summary

Adding a legend to a PowerPoint chart helps viewers instantly identify data series without guessing. You can enable and reposition the legend in just a few clicks using the Chart Elements menu.

Steps

Click on the chart to select it.
Click the green plus sign (+) icon to open the Chart Elements menu.
Check the box next to Legend to enable it.
Click the small arrow next to the word "Legend" to expand placement options.
Choose the legend position on your slide — Right, Top, Left, or Bottom.

📌 Why this matters

Adding a legend to a PowerPoint chart is essential for making data presentations clear and professional. A well-positioned chart legend lets audiences instantly identify each data series, reducing confusion during meetings or reports. PowerPoint's built-in Chart Elements menu makes it fast to enable and reposition a legend without manual formatting. Mastering this feature helps presenters deliver polished, self-explanatory slides that communicate insights more effectively.

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