How to Animate Parts of a Chart in Microsoft PowerPoint

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Adding animations to charts in your PowerPoint presentations can make the data come alive. When used strategically, chart animations highlight important insights, guide the audience, and keep them engaged.

In this article, you’ll learn step-by-step how to animate individual chart elements for maximum impact.

Why Animate Charts in Presentations?

Animating charts serves multiple purposes:

  • Draws attention to key data points or trends. For example, you can emphasize a spike in sales by animating just that data series.
  • Builds suspense and intrigue. Bringing in chart elements one by one builds anticipation for the full picture.
  • Simplifies complex data. Animating data series sequentially gives the audience time to digest before adding more.
  • Guides the narrative. Coordinate chart animations to match your verbal explanations for seamless flow.
  • Engages your audience. Movement and transitions add energy to otherwise static charts.

When used judiciously, chart animations can make a world of difference in holding attention and conveying insights memorably.

Step 1: Add a Chart to Your Slide

If your slide already contains a chart, skip to Step 2. Otherwise:

  1. Go to the Insert tab.
  2. Click the Chart icon.
  3. Select the chart style you want to add.
  4. Click OK to add the basic chart to your slide.

Step 2: Select the Chart Elements to Animate

  1. Click the chart to select the whole thing.
  2. Go to the Animations tab.
  3. Click Add Animation and choose an entrance effect.
  4. Click Effect Options.
  5. On the Chart Animation tab, pick one of the following animation modes:
    • As One Object: Entire chart animates together
    • By Series: Each data series animates separately
    • By Category: Each category animates separately
    • By Element: Every individual element animates separately
  6. Click OK.

For example, if you pick By Series, one data series will now have its own animation sequence.

Repeat to add animations to other aspects of the chart.

Step 3: Customize Animation Timing

  1. Open the Animation Pane to see all chart animations listed sequentially.
  2. Select an animation.
  3. Use the Start menu to choose triggers like:
    • On Click: Starts when you mouse click
    • With Previous: Starts simultaneously with previous animation
    • After Previous: Starts after previous animation finishes
  4. Adjust animation Duration and Delay as needed.

Coordinate animations to match the timing of your narrative for seamless presentations.

Step 4: Preview and Tweak Animations

  1. Click Preview at the top to view animations together.
  2. Make tweaks to Effect Options or animation sequence as needed.

Iterate until you have a smooth, impactful chart animation sequence ready for your audience!

Recap and Next Steps

The key steps to animate PowerPoint chart elements are:

  1. Add chart and select it
  2. Under Animation Options, choose how to divide animations
  3. Sequence animations in the Animation Pane
  4. Preview and adjust timing

Once you get the hang of it, chart animations are easy to set up. They can instantly take your presentations to the next level.

For more tips, animation ideas, and best practices, check out these resources:

Now you have the tools to make your charts tell compelling stories. Use them strategically to capture attention and clearly communicate insights.

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