Chart templates in Excel - Practice Problems & Coding Challenges

Challenge - 5 Problems

🎯 Scenario

intermediate

Using a Chart Template to Create a Sales Chart

You have monthly sales data in Excel and want to create a chart using a saved chart template named SalesTemplate.crtx. Which step correctly applies this template to your selected data?

A Select the data, go to Insert > Charts group, click the Insert Chart dropdown, then select the saved template under Templates.

B Open the template file directly, then copy and paste the chart into your workbook.

C Right-click the data and choose 'Apply Chart Template' from the context menu, then select the template file.

D Select the data, go to Insert > Recommended Charts, then choose the template from the Templates tab.

💡 Hint

Look for the option that lets you insert a chart using a saved template from the Insert tab.

Option A is correct because Excel allows you to insert a chart using a saved template by selecting your data, then using the Insert Chart dropdown and choosing your saved template under Templates.

📊 Formula Result

intermediate

Effect of Changing Data on a Chart Using a Template

You created a chart from data in cells A1:B5 using a chart template. Later, you update the data in A1:B5. What happens to the chart?

A The chart remains unchanged until you reapply the chart template.

B The chart updates automatically to reflect the new data.

C The chart breaks and shows an error because the template is static.

D The chart deletes itself and must be recreated.

💡 Hint

Think about how Excel charts behave when source data changes.

Charts created from data update automatically when the source data changes, even if created using a template. The template only defines the chart style, not the data connection.

❓ Function Choice

advanced

Choosing the Correct Method to Save a Chart as a Template

You want to save a customized chart style as a template for future use. Which method correctly saves the chart as a template file?

A Right-click the chart, select 'Save as Template', then name and save the .crtx file.

B Copy the chart and paste it into a new workbook, then save the workbook as a template.

C Use the File > Save As option and select 'Chart Template' as the file type.

D Select the chart and press Ctrl+S to save it as a template.

💡 Hint

Look for the option that explicitly mentions saving the chart as a template file.

Option A is correct because Excel allows saving a chart style as a template by right-clicking the chart and choosing 'Save as Template', which creates a .crtx file.

❓ data_analysis

advanced

Identifying Chart Template Usage in a Workbook

You open an Excel workbook with multiple charts. You want to find out which charts were created using a specific chart template named ProfitTemplate.crtx. How can you identify these charts?

A Check each chart’s Chart Tools > Design tab for the template name under Chart Styles.

B There is no direct way; you must manually compare chart styles visually to the template.

C Use VBA code to check the chart’s ChartTemplate property for the template file name.

D Open the template file and it lists all charts using it in the workbook.

💡 Hint

Think about how Excel stores chart template information internally.

Excel does not show the template name in the UI after applying it. Using VBA to check the ChartTemplate property is the reliable way to identify charts created from a specific template.

🧠 Conceptual

expert

Understanding Limitations of Chart Templates

Which of the following is NOT a limitation of Excel chart templates?

A Chart templates do not save the data source, only the chart formatting and layout.

B Chart templates cannot include macros or VBA code.

C Chart templates do not save custom axis scales or data labels settings.

D Chart templates cannot be used across different versions of Excel.

💡 Hint

Consider compatibility of chart templates between Excel versions.

Option D is incorrect because chart templates (.crtx files) are generally compatible across Excel versions. The other options are true limitations.