How to Insert a SmartArt Graphic in Excel

This tutorial demonstrates how to insert SmartArt in Excel.

 

 

Insert a SmartArt Graphic

With SmartArt, you can easily add diagrams, visual lists, and captioned pictures to your worksheet. These come in a variety of different layouts, colors, styles, and arrangements.

1. In the Ribbon, go to Insert > SmartArt (from the Illustrations group).

 

 

2. This brings up the Choose a SmartArt Graphic dialog box. From the menu on the left side, choose a graphic category (e.g., Hierarchy). Then choose the chart type. Click OK when you’re satisfied with the image.

 

 

3. The basic structure of the list, diagram, or picture is inserted with [Text] placeholders. In those, you can insert titles, descriptions, captions, and/or pictures by clicking on them. (In this example, it’s a diagram with titles.)

 

 

4. In the Ribbon, the SmartArt Design tab appears with Layouts and SmartArt Styles based on the specific type of SmartArt graphic chosen. Modify the SmartArt graphic to fit your needs.

 

 

NOTE: If the style of your SmartArt list or diagram comes with more sections than you need, delete any unused graphics by clicking to select and then pressing DELETE.

 

 

Insert a SmartArt Picture

1. In the Ribbon, go to Insert SmartArt (from the Illustrations group).

 

 

2. This opens a Choose a SmartArt Graphic window. Click Picture and choose a picture layout. Click OK.

 

 

3. The basic structure of the picture is inserted with [Text] placeholders.

 

 

4. To change certain features of the SmartArt picture, go to the Ribbon and the SmartArt Design tab.

 

 

5. Click on the picture icon to bring up the Insert Pictures window. Choose the source for your picture. For this example, click From a File to get the picture from your computer.

 

 

6. The Browse window comes up. Select the picture you want and click Insert.

 

 

The result is a SmartArt picture in your worksheet.