Excel - Bar chart colors change when data range is modified

Excel automatically reassigns series/point colors when the data range changes, so manually chosen colors can be lost when points are added/removed or the range is resized.

To keep specific colors on each bar, set the colors directly on the individual data markers after the chart has the final data range:

1. Make sure the chart already uses the full, final data range that is expected.
2. Click once on the series to select all bars, then click again on a single bar to select just that bar (data marker).
3. Go to the Format tab.
4. In Shape Styles, select Shape Fill.
5. Choose the desired color under Theme Colors or Standard Colors, or use More Fill Colors to define a custom color.
6. Repeat steps 2–5 for each bar that needs a fixed color.

If the data range must change frequently, consider:

• Keeping the same number/order of categories and updating values in place instead of resizing the range.
• Using a separate series for each bar (each with its own format) so Excel is less likely to remap colors when the range changes.

References:

• Vary the colors of same-series data markers in a chart
• Change the color or style of a chart in Office