Excel Line Chart Show Difference Between Two Series
Excel line chart is a powerful tool that can be used to visualize data in a simple and effective way. One of the most useful features of the line chart is the ability to show the difference between two series of data. This can be particularly helpful when you are comparing two sets of data and want to highlight the differences between them.
Creating a Line Chart in Excel
To create a line chart in Excel, you first need to select the data that you want to use. This can be done by highlighting the cells that contain the data. Once you have selected the data, you can then click on the 'Insert' tab and select 'Line Chart' from the 'Charts' group.
Excel will then create a basic line chart for you. You can customize the chart by adding titles, changing the axis labels, and adjusting the colors and styles of the lines.
Showing the Difference Between Two Series
To show the difference between two series in a line chart, you need to add a third series that represents the difference between the other two. This can be done by subtracting one series from the other and plotting the result as a separate line.
For example, let's say you have two series of data: Sales and Expenses. To show the difference between these two series, you would need to subtract Expenses from Sales and plot the result as a third series.
To do this, you first need to create a new column that contains the difference between Sales and Expenses. You can do this by entering a formula in a blank cell that subtracts Expenses from Sales. Once you have the difference calculated, you can then select the three columns of data (Sales, Expenses, and Difference) and create a line chart from them.
Customizing the Chart
Once you have created the chart, you can customize it to make it more visually appealing and easier to read. Here are some tips:
- Add titles to the chart and the axes to make it clear what the chart is showing.
- Adjust the colors and styles of the lines to make them easier to distinguish.
- Add data labels to the chart to show the exact values of each point.
- Adjust the scale of the axes to make the data easier to read. For example, you may want to start the y-axis at zero to avoid distorting the data.
Conclusion
Excel line charts are a powerful tool for visualizing data and can be used to show the difference between two series of data. By subtracting one series from another and plotting the result as a third series, you can highlight the differences between the data sets and make it easier to analyze the data. With a little customization, you can create a chart that is both visually appealing and informative.