How To Make A Graph In Excel With Data

How to Put Two Sets of Data on One Graph in Excel

By Kathryn Hatashita-Lee

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Microsoft Excel offers many chart types to illustrate two data series in a visually interesting way. The "Insert" tab on the command ribbon includes a Charts group with 10 chart types, including "Pie," "Bar" and "Surface." For example, if your data series includes positive and negative values, the recommended preview samples will include column and line charts. Excel also enables you to plot two different chart types, such as a column chart for the first data series and a line chart for the second series, on a combination chart to help make these values meaningful for your analysis.

Step 1

Click and drag on the worksheet data that you want to chart. Include the row and column labels.

Step 2

Click the "Insert" tab on the command ribbon, then click the tiny arrow button in the lower-right corner of the Charts group to open the Insert Chart dialog box. The Recommended Charts tab will display your selected data series in a sample chart in the main pane. Other sample charts will display in the side bar. If you prefer to see more chart types, click the "All Charts" tab to view a list of chart types in the sidebar. Examples include "Column," "Line," "Bar," "Area" and "Combo."

Step 3

Click a chart type in the sidebar to preview your data series converted to that chart type. For example, click "Combo" in the All Charts sidebar to show two chart types in one plot area, such as a column and a line chart. In this combo example, you select the chart type for each data series in the drop-down list in the "Choose the Chart Type and Axis for Your Data Series" section.

Step 4

Click "OK" to convert the two data series to a chart on your worksheet.

Step 5

Click inside the chart area to bring up the Chart Tools ribbon and the Design and Format tabs to help you edit the chart. Three buttons will display to the right of the chart with screen tips: Chart Elements, Chart Styles and Chart Filters. For example, click the green "+" button for Chart Elements, and then select "Data Table" to insert the worksheet data in the bottom of the chart.

Step 6

Press "Ctrl-S" to save this worksheet.

References

Tips

To change the chart type, right-click the chart's plot area to open the list and then click "Change Chart Type" to open the dialog box. Select the preferred chart type in the sidebar of the Recommended Charts tab sheet or the All Charts tab sheet to preview. Click "OK" to close the dialog box and update your chart. Press "Ctrl-S" to save this updated worksheet.
Updating the worksheet data will update the chart data.
To move the chart on your worksheet, click inside the chart area outside of the plot area and then drag the chart to the preferred position. For example, move the chart to ensure it is not blocking the worksheet data.
To resize the chart, click inside the chart to display the frame's sizing handles, and then click and drag a handle to change the dimensions.

Warnings