In this example, we’ve made the Annual Total an Area Chart Type and overlaid that on top of the bar types to show how much each State contributes to the whole, and how their trends match. Select the chart type you want for each data series from the dropdown options. To create a combo chart, select the data you want displayed, then click the dialog launcher in the corner of the Charts group on the Insert tab to open the Insert Chart dialog box. For example, let’s say we’d like to compare the Annual Sales Total with the Top 5 State Totals to see which states are following the overall trend. An Excel Combo chart lets you display different series and styles on the same chart. Sometimes you want to compare two sets of data that aren’t closely related or that would best be represented by different styles. Click the Switch Row/Column button on the Design tab and then edit the series labels. Our default line chart makes it difficult to see how each state has performed over time. Switch the data rows and columns – Sometimes a different style of chart requires a different layout of the information.Type the new series label in the Series name: textbox, then click OK.Select the series you want to edit, then click Edit to open the Edit Series dialog box.Click Select Data button on the Design tab to open the Select Data Source dialog box.To edit the series labels, follow these steps: Add titles and series labels – Click on the chart to open the Chart Tools contextual tab, then edit the Chart title by clicking on the Chart Title textbox.You can quickly see that we need to do some cleaning up before we share: To follow using our example, download the multiple series charts. Click the type of chart you want to enter on the Insert tab. In this example, we want to compare the top 5 states by sales volume. Make sure all data uses the same scale – you don’t want one column of sales numbers to be in “dollars” and the next represented by fractions of “millions” of dollars for example. To create an accurate chart, first make sure your data is organized with column headings and is sorted in the best way to clearly tell your story.

Images were taken using Excel 2013 on the Windows 7 OS. These steps will apply to Excel 2007-2013. Let’s look at the ways that Excel can display multiple series of data to create clear, easy to understand charts without resorting to a PivotChart. One of the most powerful advantages of a chart is its ability to show comparisons between data series, but you’ll need to spend a little time thinking about what you want to show and how to organize it for excellent communication.

By Tepring Crocker Categories: Charts Tags: Excel Chart Multiple Series

Select data for graph in excel mac