A chart legend in Excel list each pattern or symbol used as a data marker in a chart and follows the pattern or symbol with the chart data series name. Generally, it's a good idea to use a legend in a chart where you're not using category labels. You can customize the legend that you add to the chart in various ways.

You can click the Legend button on the Chart toolbar to add or delete a legend for your chart. Click the legend tool to display a legend if none is showing or to delete a legend if one is showing.

When you select a legend in a chart, it appears with sizing handles around it that enable you to resize the legend markers and text. To move the legend, click the arrowhead pointer within its borders, and then drag its rectangle to the position you want. Be careful to drag the legend to a blank part of the chart area where it doesn't overlap and obscure other chart elements.

As with chart text, you can change the border around the legend and the pattern within the area of the legend box. The easiest way to make the changes is to double-click the legend to open the Format Legend dialog box and then use the options on the Patterns tab to format its border and background as you want.