Excel 2016 Mac: Chart series formatting changes when different data are selected

Question

Hi,

I need to create several charts with identical formatting but with different data. In Excel 2011, I created and formatted one chart, which I then duplicated. I used 'select data' to select new data. The selection of new data did not affect the formatting. 

In Excel 2016 selection of new data resets the formatting of the chart. I wonder if it is possible to prevent Excel from resetting the formatting. 

I found that exactly the same problem had been reported for Excel 2013 for Windows. (http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/office/forum/office\_2013\_release-excel/excel-2013-chart-series-formatting-changes-when/f6a3e0d7-e8cb-4a62-9cf1-e5f1728bcb57?auth=1).  Unfortunately, the suggested solution (unchecking of: Options>Advanced> Chart>Properties follow chart data point for current workbook) is not available in Excel 2016 for Mac. 

The only workaround that I could come by is to:

1. Format a chart
2. Duplicate the chart
3. Select new data (which resets the formatting)
4. Copy the formatted chart and paste special the formatting to the duplicated chart.

This is not very efficient compared to what could be done in Excel 2011.

Creating a template each time I want to duplicate a chart is not a good solution either. 

I thought maybe some of you have stumbled on the same problem and found a better way to handle it. Your help will be much appreciated. 

Thanks

Answer 1

If it were me, I would save the formatting as a chart theme. Then the formatting can be applied to any chart. To save a chart theme, right click on the border of a chart and choose save as Theme. 

But wait! That seems to be broken in version 15.27, so I reported the problem.