Line Charts
Excel Line Charts
The data is displayed as a continuous line in ne charts.
Trends throughout time are generally displayed using line charts.
Time is usually shown on the horizontal axis in line charts.
When dealing with data that can be arranged from low to high, line charts are utilized.
Note: Ordinal data are those that may be arranged in a hierarchy, such as numerical values or letter grades ranging from A to F. Ordinal data is covered in more detail at Statistics – Measurement Levels.
Excel has six types of line charts:
- Line (
) - Line with Markers ()
- Stacked Line ()
- Stacked Line with Markers ()
- 100% Stacked Line ()
- 100% Stacked Line with Markers ()
)
)
)
)
)Line
Data can be displayed using line charts in a low-to-high order.
Example
Watch how the statistics for Bulbasaur evolutions evolve.
To keep up, copy the values:
- Choose the labels and data range A1:C4.
Note: To access this menu, expand the ribbon.
2. Select Line (
) from the drop-down menu by clicking on the Insert menu, followed by the Line menu (
).
You should get the chart below:
The graphic provides a summary of the Pokemon stats.
Evolution of the bulbasaur is displayed on the horizontal axis.
Attack stats are displayed in orange, and HP stats are displayed in blue.
The graph indicates that the stats rise with each evolution.
Wonderful! Let’s plot some additional data on the chart now.
- Select the range A1:D4 for labels and data
- Click on the Insert menu, then click on Line menu (
) and choose Line () from the drop-down menu
You should get the chart below:
Give it a minute. Nothing seems quite right.
Bulbasaur’s evolutionary paths are abruptly removed from the horizontal axis. Rather, it is the statistics.
What’s taking place?
Note: Excel automatically aligns the greater number on the horizontal axis after verifying the number of rows and columns in the chart.
Fortunately, there’s an easy cure.
After selecting the chart, click the Chart tab, and then select Switch Row/Column.
The result is this graphic, where the horizontal axis represents the development of the bulbasaur.
Line with Markers
On a line chart, a line with markers indicates the data points.
Example
Let’s graph the average Defense, Attack, and HP for each Pokemon generation.
To keep up, copy the values:
Note: There is one decimal place in this data.
- Choose the labels and data range A1:D7.
Note: To access this menu, expand the ribbon.
2. Select Line with Markers () from the drop-down menu after selecting the Insert menu and the Line menu ().
You should get the chart below:
The graph provides a clear summary of the average Pokemon stats between generations.
Average defense is displayed in gray, average attack is displayed in orange, and average HP is displayed in blue.
The generations are shown on the horizontal axis.
This graph demonstrates that the average of all second-generation numbers is extremely similar, with the highest attack coming from fifth-generation Pokemon on average.
