Column Chart That Displays Percentage Change In Excel
Introduction
Excel is a powerful tool that can help you in many ways. One of the things it can do is to create a column chart that displays percentage change. This can be useful for many different reasons, such as tracking sales or expenses over time, or comparing data from different sources. In this article, we will show you how to create a column chart that displays percentage change in Excel.
Step 1: Prepare Your Data
The first step in creating a column chart that displays percentage change is to prepare your data. You will need to have two sets of data: one for the original values, and one for the new values. For example, if you want to track the sales of a product over time, you might have one set of data for last year's sales, and another set of data for this year's sales. Make sure that your data is organized in columns or rows, with one column or row for each set of data.
Step 2: Insert a Column Chart
Once you have your data prepared, the next step is to insert a column chart. To do this, select your data range, including the column or row headings. Then, go to the "Insert" tab on the Excel ribbon, and choose "Column" from the "Charts" group. Select the type of column chart you want to use, such as a clustered column chart or a stacked column chart.
Step 3: Add Data Labels
Once you have inserted your column chart, the next step is to add data labels. Data labels are the numbers that appear on top of each column, showing the actual value of the data. To add data labels, click on any column in your chart to select it. Then, right-click and choose "Add Data Labels" from the context menu.
Step 4: Add a Data Series
The next step is to add a data series for the percentage change. To do this, right-click on your chart and choose "Select Data" from the context menu. In the "Select Data Source" dialog box, click the "Add" button under the "Legend Entries (Series)" section. In the "Edit Series" dialog box, enter a name for your data series, and then select the range of cells that contains the percentage change data. Click "OK" to close the dialog box.
Step 5: Change Data Series Type
The next step is to change the type of data series to a line chart. To do this, select your new data series by clicking on any point in the line. Then, right-click and choose "Change Series Chart Type" from the context menu. In the "Change Chart Type" dialog box, select "Line" from the left pane, and then choose the type of line chart you want to use from the right pane. Click "OK" to close the dialog box.
Step 6: Adjust Axis Options
The final step is to adjust the axis options to make sure that both the column chart and the line chart are properly aligned. To do this, right-click on the horizontal axis of your chart and choose "Format Axis" from the context menu. In the "Format Axis" pane, go to the "Axis Options" tab and set the "Minimum" value to zero. Then, go to the "Number" tab and choose "Percentage" from the "Category" list. Repeat these steps for the vertical axis, if necessary.
Conclusion
Creating a column chart that displays percentage change in Excel is a useful tool for tracking data over time or comparing data from different sources. By following these simple steps, you can create a professional-looking chart that is easy to read and understand. Whether you are a business owner, a student, or just someone who loves to work with data, Excel has the tools you need to succeed.
