How to Remove Zero Data Labels in Excel Graph (3 Easy Ways)

We have the following dataset containing records of marks for 3 subjects of some students. Among the students, two of them got 0 in two different subjects. After plotting them as Line Chart, Column Chart, and Pie Chart we can see that the Line Chart is showing zero data labels. The other two forms are avoiding the zero data labels. We will discuss more ways to remove the zero data labels from the Line Chart.

We have used Microsoft Excel 365 version for this article, you can use any other version according to your convenience.

Method 1 – Using the NA Function to Remove Zero Data Labels

We are going to replace zero in Physics for Emily and in Maths for Sheldon with #N/A to avoid zero data labels.

Case 1 – Use the NA Function with the Find and Replace Option

Steps:

Select the range and go to the Home tab and the Editing group.
Select the Find & Select dropdown and choose Replace option.

The Find and Replace dialog box will open up.

Type the following in the first two boxes.
Find what → 0
Replace with → =NA()
Select the Replace All option.

A message box will appear which informs about replacements.

Click on OK.

The zero values will be replaced by #N/A and the graphs are not showing zero data labels here anymore.

Case 2 – Use the NA Function for Formula

In the Minimum column, we have used the MIN function to get the minimum value between the marks of Maths and Chemistry and the graph is showing the minimum values with zero data label.

Steps:

Enter the following formula in cell E4.

=IF(MIN(C4:D4)=0,NA(),MIN(C4:D4))

If the minimum value is zero, the IF function will return #N/A instead.

Drag down the Fill Handle tool.

The Zero value for Sheldon has been superseded with #N/A. The graph has also removed zero data labels.

READ MORE: How to Add Data Labels in Excel

Method 2 – Using the Filter Option

This method can only be used if your graph is plotted with single column values.

Steps:

Select the dataset and go to the Home tab,
Select Sort & Filter and choose Filter (in the Editing group).

The filter dropdown option will appear on the column headers.

Click on the dropdown symbol in the Maths column.

Uncheck the box with the number 0 and press OK.

We have removed the marks 0 in the row for Sheldon and our graph has also eliminated this 0 data label.

Method 3 – Using the Custom Number Format

Column charts may ignore zero data labels, but when we activate the data label option of the chart, we can see the zero data labels for the Physics and Maths series also in the chart.