The Format Task Pane was added in Excel 2013 and provides detailed controls for most chart elements.
Previously, this sort of formatting was done with the Format dialog box.
The easiest way to display the Format Task Pane is to double-punch a chart.
This will launch the Format Task Pane with Chart Options selected.
The Format Task pane stays open until you manually end the window.
There are two other ways to pop fire up task pane.
The content in the Format Task Pane varies a lot depending on what element is selected.
Under text options, you’ll find text fill, text effects, and text box controls.
If I grab the data bars, I get controls to format the Data Series.
Again notice that the pane continues to update with specific controls, as different chart elements are selected.
you’re free to undock the Format Task Pane if you like.
Just click and drag the title area, and resize the window as you like.
Now the pane will appear floating when invoked.
To re-dock the pane, just drag to the edge of the window.
The Format Task Pane is a detailed control that takes some getting used to.
We’re going to use it a lot in upcoming videos.
