Graphed LogoGraphed
Login

How to Export Excel Graph as PNG

Cody Schneider•

Need to get your beautiful Excel chart out of the spreadsheet and into a presentation, report, or webpage? You're not alone. Saving an Excel graph as a standalone image file, especially a high-quality PNG, is a common task, but Excel doesn't make the process immediately obvious. This article will show you several simple methods to export any Excel graph as a crisp PNG image, perfect for sharing and publishing anywhere.

Why Export as a PNG?

Before we jump into the methods, let's quickly touch on why PNG (Portable Network Graphics) is often the best choice for charts and graphs. Unlike JPEGs, which are great for photos, PNG files are 'lossless,' meaning they don't lose quality every time you save them. They also support transparency, which is incredibly useful for placing your chart over colored backgrounds in presentations or websites without that clunky white box around it.

Method 1: The 'Copy and Paste Special' Route

This is the fastest and most straightforward method for getting a single chart out of Excel. It relies on a program you almost certainly already have, like PowerPoint or even Microsoft Paint, to act as a go-between.

Step-by-Step Instructions:

  1. Select Your Chart: In your Excel worksheet, simply click once on the chart you want to export. You'll see a border appear around it, indicating it's selected.

  2. Copy the Chart: You can either right-click on the selected chart and choose "Copy," or use the keyboard shortcut Ctrl + C (or Cmd + C on Mac).

  3. Open Your Go-Between Program: Now, open a program where you can paste the chart as an image. Microsoft PowerPoint is an excellent option for this, but Paint, Paint 3D (on Windows), or even a design tool like Canva or Photoshop also works. We'll use PowerPoint for this example.

  4. Paste as Picture: This step is critical. Instead of just pasting normally, you want to tell the program to treat your chart as an image. In PowerPoint, go to the "Home" tab, click the dropdown arrow under the "Paste" button, and select "Paste Special." From the options that appear, choose "Picture (PNG)." Alternatively, many programs offer a small paste icon with a picture symbol when you right-click.

  5. Save Your New Image: Your chart is now a static image on the PowerPoint slide. Right-click on the image and select "Save as Picture." A dialog box will appear.

  6. Choose PNG Format: In the "Save as Picture" window, navigate to where you want to save your file. Type in a file name, and most importantly, click the "Save as type" dropdown and choose PNG (*.png). Click "Save," and you're done!

Pros: It's extremely fast for one-off exports and uses tools you're already familiar with.Cons: The image quality is tied to the chart's size on your screen, so it might not be the highest resolution. It also requires an extra application.

Method 2: The 'Save As a Web Page' Trick

This method feels a bit unconventional, but it's a fantastic hidden gem within Excel for producing a high-quality PNG file directly, without needing any other software.

Step-by-Step Instructions:

  1. Select Your Chart: Just as before, click once on the chart to select it.

  2. Open the 'Save As' Dialog: Go to File > Save As or simply press the F12 key to open the "Save As" window.

  3. Change the File Type: This is the key step. In the "Save as type" dropdown menu, select Web Page (*.htm, *.html). Don't worry, you aren't actually building a website.

  4. Choose 'Selection: Chart': After selecting "Web Page," look just above the "Save" button. You’ll see a couple of radio buttons. Instead of "Entire Workbook," you must select "Selection: Chart". This tells Excel to only save the chart you selected, not everything else.

  5. Save It: Choose a location, give the file a name, and click "Save."

  6. Find Your PNG File: Here's where the magic happens. Navigate to the folder where you just saved the file. Excel will have created an HTML file and a new folder with "_files" at the end of its name. Open that folder. Inside, you will find your chart perfectly saved as a high-resolution PNG file sitting there, ready to use!

Pros: Generates a high-quality, clean image directly from Excel. The resolution is usually much better than the copy-paste method.Cons: It's a few more clicks and creates some extra files (an .htm file and a folder) that you'll have to delete afterward.

Method 3: A Simple VBA Macro for Repeat Exporters

If you find yourself exporting charts constantly, setting up a simple macro can turn the entire process into a single click. It might sound technical, but it’s surprisingly straightforward, even if you’ve never seen a line of code before.

VBA (Visual Basic for Applications) is Excel's built-in tool for automating tasks. We can use it to create our own custom "Export as PNG" button.

Step-by-Step Instructions:

  1. Enable the Developer Tab: If you don't already see a "Developer" tab in your Excel ribbon, go to File > Options > Customize Ribbon, and check the box next to "Developer" on the right-hand side.

  2. Open the VBA Editor: Go to the new "Developer" tab and click the "Visual Basic" button, or just press the keyboard shortcut Alt + F11.

  3. Insert a New Module: In the VBA editor window, go to Insert > Module. A blank white code window will appear.

  4. Copy and Paste the Code: Copy the code below and paste it directly into the blank module window.

  1. Run the Macro: Close the VBA editor to return to your spreadsheet. Now, select your chart, go to the "Developer" tab, click "Macros," select "ExportChartAsPNG" from the list, and click "Run." A "Save As" window will pop right up, letting you name and save your PNG file instantly.

Tip: For even faster access, you can add this macro to your Quick Access Toolbar!

Pros: By far the most efficient way if you export charts often. It's a one-and-done setup.Cons: Requires a bit of upfront setup and might feel uncomfortable for users who aren't used to working with macros.

Tips for Getting the Perfect Export

No matter which method you choose, a few simple preparations can make a huge difference in the final image.

  • Enlarge the Chart First: The resolution of your exported PNG depends on the size of the chart on your Excel sheet. For a sharper, higher-resolution image, make the chart larger on your screen before you export it. Drag the corners to expand it significantly.

  • Format Before You Export: Remember, the exported PNG is a static image. You can't edit the titles, legends, or colors after the fact. Make sure all your labels, fonts, and colors are exactly how you want them in Excel first.

  • Aim for Transparency: Want your chart to float seamlessly on a colored background in your report? Select your chart in Excel, go to the "Format" tab, click "Shape Fill," and choose "No Fill." Do the same for the "Shape Outline" and select "No Outline." Now when you export it as a PNG, the background will be transparent.

Final Thoughts

Exporting a graph from Excel to a high-quality PNG is a simple process once you know the hidden tricks. Whether you prefer the quick copy-paste method, the high-resolution 'Save as Web Page' technique, or automating the entire process with a macro, you're now equipped to move your data visualizations out of the spreadsheet and into the world.

Pulling data and building charts in spreadsheets is a familiar routine, but it's just one piece of the much larger, more manual process of reporting. Hours get eaten up switching between platforms, cleaning up data, and tweaking charts just to answer basic questions. Our team built Graphed to do all that heavy lifting for you. Simply connect your tools like Google Analytics, Shopify, or Salesforce, and ask for the dashboard you need in plain English. Graphed automatically generates live, interactive visuals in seconds, freeing you to focus on the insights in your data, not the busywork of getting it there.