Format chart data for clarity
Apply number styles, currency symbols, percentages, and decimal formatting to make your chart data easier to read.
Format options in Canva Charts
- Data type – Choose how the data is interpreted (e.g. number, text)
- Choose a style – Select a number format, like 1,000 or 1000.
- Add prefix – Add symbols before your values (e.g. $, €, #).
- Add suffix – Add symbols or text after your values (e.g. %, units).
- Add decimals – Set up to five decimal places to display for more precise or simplified values. Includes a Default state and Reset button for easy adjustments.
- Add a title and subtitle – Set a title and subtitle that describe your chart. This feature is available for all types of charts except for infographics.
Format chart data for clarity
- Select your chart, then click Edit on the toolbar.
- In the side panel, enter your chart values in the Data table. You can also select Expand data table for a full-screen view of your data.
- Choose a column, then click on (More). You can also select the Format button in the floating toolbar.
- Select Format column.
- Under Data type, choose between Number or Text.
- Under Number format you can:
- Use the Style dropdown to choose a number formatting style, including locale-specific formats like German, Swedish, and Indian number styles.
- Under Prefix or Suffix, you can add units of measurement or currency symbols (e.g. $, %, units). Empty fields show helpful placeholder text.
- Under Decimals, adjust the number of decimal points. Select Reset to go back to the default automatic formatting, or increment/decrement based on your actual data precision. You can use up to five decimal places.
- To add a title and subtitle, go to the Customize tab and enter your Title and Subtitle in their respective text fields.
Tip: While formatting, you'll see your actual column data and a live preview showing your column header and sample values with the formatting applied.
When typing manually, by default, your numbers will be formatted based on your document locale. You can change it to a different format via the Style dropdown.
Now that you've formatted your data, check out other ways to manage it for better clarity and visualization. Go to Add and manage your chart data.
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