Fill Under Or Between Series In An Excel Xy Chart
Introduction
Excel is a powerful tool for data analysis and visualization. One of the most useful features of Excel is the ability to create XY charts that display data points as a series of dots or markers. However, sometimes it is useful to fill the area under or between these series to highlight certain trends or patterns in the data. In this article, we will explore how to fill under or between series in an Excel XY chart.
Creating An Excel XY Chart
Before we can fill under or between series in an Excel XY chart, we first need to create the chart itself. To do this, we need to have some data that we want to visualize. For example, let's say we have the following data:
We can create an XY chart of this data by selecting the data range and clicking on the "Insert" tab in the Excel ribbon. From there, we can select "Scatter" and then choose the type of chart we want to create. For example, we might choose a chart that displays each data point as a dot:
Filling Under A Series
Now that we have our XY chart, we can start filling under or between series. To fill under a series, we first need to select the series we want to fill. We can do this by clicking on one of the data points in the series. Once we have selected the series, we can right-click on it and choose "Format Data Series" from the context menu.
In the "Format Data Series" dialog box, we can choose the "Fill" tab and then select the color or pattern we want to use for the fill. We can also choose to add a border or adjust the transparency of the fill.
Once we have made our selections, we can click "OK" to apply the fill to the series.
Filling Between Two Series
If we want to fill between two series in an Excel XY chart, the process is similar to filling under a series. First, we need to select both of the series we want to fill between by clicking on one of the data points in each series. Then, we can right-click on one of the selected series and choose "Format Data Series" from the context menu.
In the "Format Data Series" dialog box, we can choose the "Fill" tab and then select the "Between" option under "Color". We can then select the color or pattern we want to use for the fill, as well as adjust the transparency if desired.
Once we have made our selections, we can click "OK" to apply the fill between the two series.
Using The Gradient Fill Option
In addition to solid colors and patterns, Excel also offers a gradient fill option for filling under or between series in an XY chart. To use this option, we can follow the same steps as before for filling under or between a series. However, when we get to the "Fill" tab in the "Format Data Series" dialog box, we can select the "Gradient Fill" option instead of a solid color or pattern.
We can then select the type of gradient we want to use, as well as the colors and direction of the gradient. We can also adjust the transparency of the fill if desired.
Once we have made our selections, we can click "OK" to apply the gradient fill to the series.
Conclusion
Filling under or between series in an Excel XY chart can be a powerful way to highlight trends or patterns in your data. With the right selection of colors, patterns, and gradients, you can make your charts more visually appealing and easier to understand. By following the steps outlined in this article, you should be able to fill under or between series in your own Excel XY charts with ease.