# Manage Chart Data Labels in Presentations Using Python

> Learn to add and format chart data labels in PowerPoint presentations using Aspose.Slides for Python via Java for more engaging slides.

Source: https://docs.aspose.com/slides/python-java/chart-data-label/
Updated: 2026-09-10


## **Introduction**

Data labels on a chart show details about the chart data series or individual data points. They allow readers to quickly identify data series, and they also make charts easier to understand.

## **Set Data Precision in Chart Data Labels**

This Python code shows you how to set the data precision in a chart data label:

```python
import jpype
import asposeslides

if not jpype.isJVMStarted():
    jpype.startJVM()

from asposeslides.api import ChartType, Presentation, SaveFormat

presentation = Presentation()
try:
    chart = presentation.getSlides().get_Item(0).getShapes().addChart(ChartType.Line, 50, 50, 450, 300)
    chart.setDataTable(True)
    chart.getChartData().getSeries().get_Item(0).setNumberFormatOfValues("#,##0.00")

    presentation.save("output.pptx", SaveFormat.Pptx)
finally:
    presentation.dispose()
```

## **Display Percentage as Labels**
Aspose.Slides for Python via Java allows you to set percentage labels on displayed charts. This Python code demonstrates the operation:

```python
import jpype
import asposeslides

if not jpype.isJVMStarted():
    jpype.startJVM()

from asposeslides.api import ChartType, Portion, Presentation, SaveFormat

presentation = Presentation()
try:
    slide = presentation.getSlides().get_Item(0)
    chart = slide.getShapes().addChart(ChartType.StackedColumn, 20, 20, 400, 400)
    chart_series = chart.getChartData().getSeries()
    category_totals = [0.0] * chart.getChartData().getCategories().size()
    for category_index in range(len(category_totals)):
        for series_index in range(chart_series.size()):
            data_point = chart_series.get_Item(series_index).getDataPoints().get_Item(category_index)
            category_totals[category_index] += float(data_point.getValue().getData())

    for series_index in range(chart_series.size()):
        series = chart_series.get_Item(series_index)
        series.getLabels().getDefaultDataLabelFormat().setShowLegendKey(False)

        for point_index in range(series.getDataPoints().size()):
            data_point = series.getDataPoints().get_Item(point_index)
            label = data_point.getLabel()
            if category_totals[point_index] == 0:
                print(f"Cannot calculate a percentage for category {point_index}: the total is zero.")
                continue
            point_percentage = float(data_point.getValue().getData()) / category_totals[point_index] * 100

            portion = Portion()
            portion.setText(f"{point_percentage:.2f} %")
            portion.getPortionFormat().setFontHeight(8)
            label.getTextFrameForOverriding().setText("")
            paragraph = label.getTextFrameForOverriding().getParagraphs().get_Item(0)
            paragraph.getPortions().add(portion)

            label_format = label.getDataLabelFormat()
            label_format.setShowSeriesName(False)
            label_format.setShowPercentage(False)
            label_format.setShowLegendKey(False)
            label_format.setShowCategoryName(False)
            label_format.setShowBubbleSize(False)

    presentation.save("output.pptx", SaveFormat.Pptx)
finally:
    presentation.dispose()
```

## **Set Percentage Sign with Chart Data Labels**
This Python code shows you how to set the percentage sign for a chart data label:

```python
import jpype
import asposeslides

if not jpype.isJVMStarted():
    jpype.startJVM()

from asposeslides.api import ChartType, FillType, Presentation, SaveFormat

Color = jpype.JClass("java.awt.Color")

presentation = Presentation()
try:
    slide = presentation.getSlides().get_Item(0)
    chart = slide.getShapes().addChart(ChartType.PercentsStackedColumn, 20, 20, 500, 400)
    chart.getAxes().getVerticalAxis().setNumberFormatLinkedToSource(False)
    chart.getAxes().getVerticalAxis().setNumberFormat("0.00%")
    chart.getChartData().getSeries().clear()
    worksheet_index = 0
    workbook = chart.getChartData().getChartDataWorkbook()

    # Add the red series.
    series_cell = workbook.getCell(worksheet_index, 0, 1, "Reds")
    red_series = chart.getChartData().getSeries().add(series_cell, chart.getType())
    for row_index, value in enumerate([0.30, 0.50, 0.80, 0.65], start=1):
        data_cell = workbook.getCell(worksheet_index, row_index, 1, jpype.JDouble(value))
        red_series.getDataPoints().addDataPointForBarSeries(data_cell)

    red_series.getFormat().getFill().setFillType(FillType.Solid)
    red_series.getFormat().getFill().getSolidFillColor().setColor(Color.RED)
    red_label_format = red_series.getLabels().getDefaultDataLabelFormat()
    red_label_format.setShowValue(True)
    red_label_format.setNumberFormatLinkedToSource(False)
    red_label_format.setNumberFormat("0.0%")
    red_portion_format = red_label_format.getTextFormat().getPortionFormat()
    red_portion_format.setFontHeight(10)
    red_portion_format.getFillFormat().setFillType(FillType.Solid)
    red_portion_format.getFillFormat().getSolidFillColor().setColor(Color.WHITE)

    # Add the blue series.
    series_cell = workbook.getCell(worksheet_index, 0, 2, "Blues")
    blue_series = chart.getChartData().getSeries().add(series_cell, chart.getType())
    for row_index, value in enumerate([0.70, 0.50, 0.20, 0.35], start=1):
        data_cell = workbook.getCell(worksheet_index, row_index, 2, jpype.JDouble(value))
        blue_series.getDataPoints().addDataPointForBarSeries(data_cell)

    blue_series.getFormat().getFill().setFillType(FillType.Solid)
    blue_series.getFormat().getFill().getSolidFillColor().setColor(Color.BLUE)
    blue_label_format = blue_series.getLabels().getDefaultDataLabelFormat()
    blue_label_format.setShowValue(True)
    blue_label_format.setNumberFormatLinkedToSource(False)
    blue_label_format.setNumberFormat("0.0%")
    blue_portion_format = blue_label_format.getTextFormat().getPortionFormat()
    blue_portion_format.setFontHeight(10)
    blue_portion_format.getFillFormat().setFillType(FillType.Solid)
    blue_portion_format.getFillFormat().getSolidFillColor().setColor(Color.WHITE)

    presentation.save("SetDataLabelsPercentageSign_out.pptx", SaveFormat.Pptx)
finally:
    presentation.dispose()
```

## **Set Label Distance from an Axis**
This Python code shows you how to set the label distance from a category axis when you are dealing with a chart plotted from axes:

```python
import jpype
import asposeslides

if not jpype.isJVMStarted():
    jpype.startJVM()

from asposeslides.api import ChartType, Presentation, SaveFormat

presentation = Presentation()
try:
    slide = presentation.getSlides().get_Item(0)
    chart = slide.getShapes().addChart(ChartType.ClusteredColumn, 20, 20, 500, 300)
    chart.getAxes().getHorizontalAxis().setLabelOffset(500)

    presentation.save("output.pptx", SaveFormat.Pptx)
finally:
    presentation.dispose()
```

## **Adjust Label Location**

When you create a chart that does not rely on any axis, such as a pie chart, the chart's data labels may end up being too close to its edge. In such a case, you have to adjust the location of the data label so that the leader lines get displayed clearly.

This Python code shows you how to adjust the label location on a pie chart:

```python
import jpype
import asposeslides

if not jpype.isJVMStarted():
    jpype.startJVM()

from asposeslides.api import ChartType, LegendDataLabelPosition, Presentation, SaveFormat

presentation = Presentation()
try:
    chart = presentation.getSlides().get_Item(0).getShapes().addChart(ChartType.Pie, 50, 50, 200, 200)
    series = chart.getChartData().getSeries()
    label = series.get_Item(0).getLabels().get_Item(0)
    label.getDataLabelFormat().setShowValue(True)
    label.getDataLabelFormat().setPosition(LegendDataLabelPosition.OutsideEnd)
    label.setX(0.71)
    label.setY(0.04)

    presentation.save("pres.pptx", SaveFormat.Pptx)
finally:
    presentation.dispose()
```

![pie-chart-adjusted-label](pie-chart-adjusted-label.png)

## **FAQ**

**How can I prevent data labels from overlapping on dense charts?**

Combine automatic label placement, leader lines, and reduced font size; if necessary, hide some fields (for example, the category) or show labels only for extreme/key points.

**How can I disable labels only for zero, negative, or empty values?**

Filter data points before enabling labels and turn off display for values of 0, negative values, or missing values according to a defined rule.

**How can I ensure a consistent label style when exporting to PDF/images?**

Explicitly set fonts (family, size) and verify that the font is available on the rendering side to avoid fallback.