Making a Simple Line Chart in Excel

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Introduction

In this lesson, you will learn how to add a simple line chart in Microsoft Excel.

This video illustrates the lesson material below. Watching the video is optional.

Making a Line Chart in Excel (01:13 mins) | Transcript

Creating a Line Chart from a Set of Data

A line chart illustrates data so you can see how it changes from one cell to another.

Follow the steps below to create a line chart:

Have a list of data in Excel.
Highlight the data from which you want to make a line chart. In this case, the data is arranged into columns with text at the top of the columns indicating what each column contains. Highlight the text along with the numbers.
- Note: Do not highlight data that is not part of the series. In this case, the total in cell D12 is not part of the data series because it is a total and not a sales number from a particular date.

A green box will surround the cells that you will select.

Figure 1

Select (a) "Insert" then (b) click on the line chart icon and select the line chart you want. In this case, select the chart called (c) "Line."

A yellow callout labeled A is pointing to the Insert menu, a B callout is pointing at the line chart icon, and a C callout is pointing at the first option in the 2-D Line.

Figure 2

The chart will then appear on the spreadsheet.
You can add labels. Select (a) "Add Chart Element" then (b) "Axis Titles" and then (c) "Primary Vertical" and "Primary Horizontal." You may type the titles in the (d) text boxes that appear.

A yellow callout labeled A is pointing at the Add Chart Element icon, callout B is pointing at the Axis Titles option in the drop down menu under Add Chart Element, callout C is pointing at the Primary Vertical option, callout D is pointing at the title for the y-axis, and callout D is pointing at the title for x-axis.

Figure 3

You may reposition the chart by dragging it.
On a line chart, (a) you can click on the line to reveal information about each individual data point.

Callout A is pointing at a point inside a chart to show how you can reveal information about a specific data point.

Figure 4

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