Amorphous chromium coatings were electrodeposited from Cr(III)-based solutions containing organic (HCOONa) or phosphorus-containing (NaH2PO2) additives. Their structure was studied by a combination of X-ray diffraction (XRD), valence-to-core X-ray emission spectroscopy (XES) and X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) at the Cr K-edge. Metalloid atoms (C or P) incorporated in electroplates structure are chemically bonded to chromium (i.e. are located in the first coordination shell). Upon annealing at elevated temperatures in vacuum, these amorphous coatings crystallize into a mixture of phases containing metallic chromium and chromium carbides or chromium phosphides. Quantitative analysis of valence-to-core XES data demonstrates that the average local structure of chromium in the amorphous coatings does not change significantly during crystallization. (C) 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.