One of the best ways to view data is to look at it graphically, and that is why Dynamics CRM dashboards and charts are one of its most appealing features. You can create bar charts, column charts, stacked charts, pie charts, and the list goes on and on! However, sometimes you'll want to change something about the chart that is not possible within the CRM tool-set. In this blog we'll discuss how to change charts by editing its XML.

As an example, below is a stacked bar chart. In practice, as you hover over the bars it tells you the count for each. But if you want to see all the numbers on the chart, you do not have that option. You will need to edit the XML to achieve that outcome.

1. First click on the little list icon atop the chart which displays the list of records.

2. Then click on the ellipsis above the chart which throws out a set of options.

3. Click on Export chart. This will save the XML of the chart which can then be edited using any XML editor.

4. While complex changes need more knowledge of XML, some changes are simple. For this requirement add IsValueShownAsLabel="True". 

IsValueShownAsLabel="True" Font="{0}, 9.5px" LabelForeColor="59, 59, 59" CustomProperties="PointWidth=0.75, MaxPixelPointWidth=40">

5.  The editing is done, simply import the XML back with the Import Chart option on this box.

The chart now displays with the values just as you want it to display.

Editing XML is to make charts look more colorful, fun and interpretative. Users who want more than the out of the box chart editing options find this very useful. For more information and to get more in-depth knowledge of XML check out our other blogs on the subject!