Chart customization (title, legend, colors) in Google Sheets - Practice Problems & Coding Challenges

Challenge - 5 Problems

📊 Formula Result

intermediate

What is the effect of this chart title formula?

You have a chart in Google Sheets with the title set by the formula =CONCATENATE("Sales Report - ", TEXT(TODAY(), "MMMM YYYY")). What will the chart title show if today is June 15, 2024?

Google Sheets

=CONCATENATE("Sales Report - ", TEXT(TODAY(), "MMMM YYYY"))

A Sales Report - June 2024

B Sales Report - 15 June 2024

C Sales Report - 2024

D Sales Report - 06/15/2024

💡 Hint

The TEXT function formats dates. "MMMM YYYY" means full month name and year.

The formula combines the text "Sales Report - " with the current date formatted as full month name and year, so it shows "Sales Report - June 2024" on June 15, 2024.

❓ Function Choice

intermediate

Which function changes the chart legend position in Google Sheets?

You want to move the legend of a chart to the bottom in Google Sheets using the chart editor. Which option correctly describes how to do this?

A Right-click the legend and drag it to the bottom manually.

B Use the formula =SETLEGENDPOSITION("Bottom") in a cell.

C In the chart editor, go to 'Customize' > 'Legend' and select 'Bottom' from the position dropdown.

D Change the legend position by editing the chart's data range.

💡 Hint

Legend position is set in the chart editor under customization options.

Google Sheets does not support formulas to change chart legend position. The correct way is to use the chart editor's Customize tab and select the legend position.

🎯 Scenario

advanced

You want to set custom colors for each data series in a Google Sheets chart. How do you do it?

You have a line chart with three data series. You want the first series to be red, the second green, and the third blue. What steps do you take in Google Sheets to apply these colors?

A Use the formula =COLOR_SERIES({"red", "green", "blue"}) in a cell to set colors.

B Open the chart editor, go to 'Customize' > 'Series', select each series from the dropdown, and pick the desired color for each.

C Change the cell background colors of the data range to red, green, and blue respectively.

D Right-click each line in the chart and select 'Change color' from the context menu.

💡 Hint

Series colors are set in the chart editor under the Series section.

Google Sheets allows setting colors per series in the chart editor under Customize > Series. You select each series and pick the color. Cell colors do not affect chart colors.

📊 Formula Result

advanced

What happens if you set a chart title to a cell with a formula that returns an empty string?

You link a chart title to cell A1, and cell A1 contains the formula =IF(B1>100, "High Sales", ""). If B1 is 50, what will the chart title show?

Google Sheets

=IF(B1>100, "High Sales", "")

A The chart title will show "" (two double quotes).

B The chart title will show "0".

C The chart title will show "FALSE".

D The chart title will be blank (no text shown).

💡 Hint

An empty string means no visible text.

When the formula returns an empty string, the chart title linked to that cell shows no text, so the title area appears blank.

❓ data_analysis

expert

Analyzing legend visibility with multiple series

You create a stacked bar chart with 4 data series. You want to hide the legend for the third series only, but keep legends for the others visible. Which statement is true about Google Sheets chart customization?

A Google Sheets does not allow hiding legend entries for individual series; the legend is shown or hidden for all series only.

B You can hide the legend for the third series by unchecking it in the chart editor's Legend section.

C You can hide the third series legend by setting its color to white in the Series section.

D You can hide the third series legend by deleting the series from the data range.

💡 Hint

Legend visibility is controlled globally in Google Sheets charts.

Google Sheets does not support hiding legend entries for individual series. The legend is either shown or hidden for the entire chart.

Practice

1. What is the main purpose of adding a title to a chart in Google Sheets?

easy

A. To add more data points to the chart

B. To change the chart's data range

C. To explain what the chart is about quickly

D. To delete the chart from the sheet

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand chart titles

   A chart title gives a quick explanation of what the chart shows.

2. Step 2: Identify the purpose of a title

   It helps viewers understand the chart's message without guessing.

3. Final Answer:

   To explain what the chart is about quickly -> Option C

4. Quick Check:

   Chart title = Explanation [OK]

Hint: Titles explain charts quickly; legends and colors clarify details [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Thinking titles change data
• Confusing titles with legends
• Assuming titles add data points

2. Which step correctly changes the legend position in Google Sheets chart editor?

easy

A. Go to Customize tab, then Legend, and select position

B. Go to Setup tab, then Data range, and select legend

C. Right-click chart and choose Delete legend

D. Double-click chart title and type legend position

Solution

1. Step 1: Locate legend settings

   Legend position is changed under the Customize tab in the Chart Editor.

2. Step 2: Select the Legend section

   Inside Customize, click Legend to find position options.

3. Final Answer:

   Go to Customize tab, then Legend, and select position -> Option A

4. Quick Check:

   Legend position = Customize > Legend [OK]

Hint: Legend settings are always under Customize tab [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Looking for legend in Setup tab
• Trying to edit legend by deleting it
• Changing title instead of legend

3. You created a pie chart in Google Sheets. You want to change the slice colors to red, blue, and green. Where do you do this?

medium

A. Data tab > Color palette > Choose colors

B. Setup tab > Chart type > Select colors

C. Insert tab > Chart colors > Pick colors

D. Customize tab > Series > Change slice colors

Solution

1. Step 1: Open Customize tab in Chart Editor

   Colors for slices are changed under Customize, not Setup or Data tabs.

2. Step 2: Select Series section

   Series controls the colors of chart elements like slices.

3. Final Answer:

   Customize tab > Series > Change slice colors -> Option D

4. Quick Check:

   Slice colors = Customize > Series [OK]

Hint: Change colors in Customize > Series for pie charts [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Trying to change colors in Setup tab
• Looking for colors in Data tab
• Searching Insert tab for colors

4. You tried to change the chart title by typing directly on the chart, but it didn't work. What is the correct way to edit the chart title?

medium

A. Use the Customize tab, then Chart & axis titles, and edit the Title text

B. Double-click the legend and type the new title

C. Change the data range to update the title automatically

D. Right-click the chart and select Delete title, then add a new one

Solution

1. Step 1: Locate title editing in Customize tab

   Chart titles are edited under Customize > Chart & axis titles.

2. Step 2: Edit the Title text field

   Change the text in the Title box to update the chart title.

3. Final Answer:

   Use the Customize tab, then Chart & axis titles, and edit the Title text -> Option A

4. Quick Check:

   Title edit = Customize > Chart & axis titles [OK]

Hint: Edit titles only in Customize > Chart & axis titles [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Trying to edit title by double-clicking legend
• Changing data range to affect title
• Deleting title instead of editing

5. You have a bar chart showing sales for three products. You want the legend to appear at the bottom, the title to say "Monthly Sales", and each bar to have a different color: red, yellow, and blue. Which steps correctly achieve this?

hard

A. Setup tab > Chart title > Type title; Setup > Legend > Position bottom; Setup > Colors > Pick colors

B. Customize tab > Chart & axis titles > Set title; Customize > Legend > Position bottom; Customize > Series > Set colors for each bar

C. Right-click chart > Edit title; Right-click legend > Move bottom; Double-click bars > Change colors

D. Insert tab > Add title; Insert > Legend > Bottom; Insert > Colors > Select colors

Solution

1. Step 1: Set the chart title in Customize > Chart & axis titles

   This is where you type "Monthly Sales" as the chart title.

2. Step 2: Move the legend to the bottom in Customize > Legend

   Select the position option to place the legend below the chart.

3. Step 3: Change bar colors in Customize > Series

   Assign red, yellow, and blue colors to each product bar here.

4. Final Answer:

   Customize tab > Chart & axis titles > Set title; Customize > Legend > Position bottom; Customize > Series > Set colors for each bar -> Option B

5. Quick Check:

   Title, legend, colors = Customize tab [OK]

Hint: All chart customizations happen in Customize tab [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Trying to set title or legend in Setup tab
• Right-clicking chart elements to edit
• Using Insert tab for chart customization