How to make a line chart in Excel

Among the many features provided by Microsoft Excel, the line graph function is particularly useful. Here, we provide you with an example of its use.

Only those who used to spend hours making charts by hand, using graph paper and a calculator, can appreciate the luxury of computer programs such as Microsoft Excel to automatically create these charts.

Analyzing your company's sales, analyzing your balance sheet, examining income and expenses, or drawing graphs for experimental data, you can do all of this by learning how to draw a line chart using Microsoft Excel or any other spreadsheet program.

Creating a Line Graph inMicrosoftexcel

Open Microsoft Excel and a new spreadsheet.

Step 1: Entering data into columns

The first and most important step is to accurately enter the data into the columns. In order to draw a line graph with XY axes, you need to have a set of corresponding data points. Divide the data into columns and make sure each column is labeled at the very top. Make sure that each cell in the columns is filled in and there are no gaps left.

For example, if you are making a line chart of the last ten years of sales, there should be a column of data for the year and another for the number of sales. Make sure that the data is entered correctly in adjacent columns. The first column will be taken as X-axis data, by default.

You can have more than one data column. In order for the graph to have two lines, you need to enter data in the second column, after the first column of data, which will provide the x-axis reference.

Step 2: Select Data for Graph

Once the data is entered, select the desired columns, along with the titles. Then open the "Insert" tab ("Insert" in the English version). Make sure that all the data you would like to plot is highlighted.

Step 3: Select the "line graph" option

In the chart option provided there, you will find a line chart option, with several type templates. You can select "Marker Chart", "Stacked Chart", "Normalized Chart", etc. As soon as you select the type of graph, left-click on it, and the presented data will be visible on the table. This will be the line chart.

Further, if you need to change any chart scale, you should open the "Designer" tab, click the "Select data" button and change the labels of the horizontal axis. In this example, the annual change of indicators is displayed.

Step 4: Determine Features

The last thing you can do with a graph is to define things like column titles, background color, and font color for the graph. Click on the graph and you will see several chart design options. The functions provided allow you to define the basic design, layout, and formatting of the graph. Choose the combination of features that suit your style. Once the design is done, your chart will be ready to use.

The only way to really learn the features of programs like Microsoft Excel is by practice. Open the program now and enter two columns of sample data to make a line graph. The best part about using computer software is the fact that you don't have to worry about making mistakes as there is always a "rollback" feature.