I'd like to vertically center align the plot area and the legend but can't
select them at the same time. Is it possible to do this or do I have to
eyeball it?

Yes, it is possible to align the legend and plot area in the middle of your Excel chart. Here's how you can do it:

1. Select the chart by clicking on it.
2. Click on the legend to select it. You should see a box around the legend.
3. Right-click on the legend and select "Format Legend" from the drop-down menu.
4. In the Format Legend pane that appears on the right side of the screen, click on the "Options" tab.
5. Under "Legend Options", select "Bottom" from the "Legend Position" drop-down menu.
6. Close the Format Legend pane by clicking on the "X" in the top right corner.
7. Click on the plot area to select it. You should see a box around the plot area.
8. Right-click on the plot area and select "Format Plot Area" from the drop-down menu.
9. In the Format Plot Area pane that appears on the right side of the screen, click on the "Fill & Line" tab.
10. Under "Fill", select "Solid fill" and choose the color you want for the plot area.
11. Close the Format Plot Area pane by clicking on the "X" in the top right corner.
12. Click on the chart to deselect everything.
13. Click on the legend to select it again. You should see a box around the legend.
14. Hold down the Shift key on your keyboard and click on the plot area. You should now see boxes around both the legend and plot area.
15. Click on the "Format" tab in the ribbon at the top of the screen.
16. Click on the "Align" button in the "Arrange" group.
17. Select "Align Middle" from the drop-down menu.

Your legend and plot area should now be vertically centered in your Excel chart.

Hi,

You can not select both the plotarea and the legend in order to align them.
If you use Right click Chart Options Legend Bottom. The legend will
align horizontally with the middle of the plot area.
You will have to eyeball the vertical alignment and the same for the plot
area alignment.

Or you could use code. Uncomment line if you want the plotarea centered in
chartobject.
Place code in a standard code module.

Sub x()

With ActiveChart
' center align plotarea in chart object
' .PlotArea.Left = (.ChartArea.Width - .PlotArea.Width) / 2
' .PlotArea.Top = (.ChartArea.Height - .PlotArea.Height) / 2
.Legend.Left = .PlotArea.InsideLeft + ((.PlotArea.InsideWidth -
..Legend.Width) / 2)
End With
End Sub

Cheers
Andy

--

Andy Pope, Microsoft MVP - Excel
http://www.andypope.info
"StonyCreeker" wrote in message
...
I'd like to vertically center align the plot area and the legend but can't
select them at the same time. Is it possible to do this or do I have to
eyeball it?