Excel Waterfall Chart Set As Total Not Showing
Introduction
Excel Waterfall Chart is a powerful visualization tool that is commonly used to show how a value changes from one point to another, with positive and negative values. However, there are instances when the chart does not show the total value, which can be frustrating for users. This article will explore why this happens and how to fix it.
What is a Waterfall Chart?
A Waterfall Chart is a type of chart that shows how a value changes from one point to another, with positive and negative values. It is commonly used to show the cumulative effect of positive and negative values, such as gains and losses, on a total value.
Waterfall charts are useful for visualizing financial statements, stock prices, and sales figures, among others. They are also helpful in identifying the main drivers of a particular value, as well as the impact of each driver on the final value.
Why the Total Value is Not Showing in Excel Waterfall Chart
One common issue that users encounter when creating a Waterfall Chart in Excel is that the total value is not showing. This can be frustrating, especially when the user wants to see the overall impact of the positive and negative values on the total value.
The reason why the total value is not showing in Excel Waterfall Chart is that the chart is set to show only the intermediate values, and not the total value. By default, Excel Waterfall Chart hides the total value and shows only the intermediate values.
To show the total value in Excel Waterfall Chart, the user needs to change the chart settings and set the chart to show the total value.
How to Show the Total Value in Excel Waterfall Chart
To show the total value in Excel Waterfall Chart, the user needs to follow these steps:
- Select the chart to activate the Chart Tools tab on the ribbon.
- Click on the Design tab.
- Click on the Add Chart Element dropdown menu.
- Select Data Labels.
- Select More Data Label Options.
- Select the Label Options tab.
- Select the Value from Cells radio button under Label Contains.
- Select the cell that contains the total value.
- Click OK to close the dialog box.
After following these steps, the total value will be displayed in the Excel Waterfall Chart.
Conclusion
Excel Waterfall Chart is a useful tool for visualizing the cumulative effect of positive and negative values on a total value. However, users may encounter issues when the total value is not showing in the chart. By following the steps outlined in this article, users can easily show the total value in Excel Waterfall Chart and get a better understanding of the impact of the values on the final result.