When you create a chart in an Excel worksheet, a Word document, or a PowerPoint presentation, you have a lot of options. Whether you’ll use a chart that’s recommended for your data, one that you’ll pick from the list of all charts, or one from our selection of chart templates, it might help to know a little more about each type of chart.
Click here to start creating a chart.
WindowsmacOS
For a description of each chart type, select an option from the following drop-down list.
Data that’s arranged in columns or rows on a worksheet can be plotted in a column chart. A column chart typically displays categories along the horizontal (category) axis and values along the vertical (value) axis, as shown in this chart:
Types of column charts
-
Clustered column and 3-D clustered column
A clustered column chart shows values in 2-D columns. A 3-D clustered column chart shows columns in 3-D format, but it doesn’t use a third value axis (depth axis). Use this chart when you have categories that represent:
-
Ranges of values (for example, item counts).
-
Specific scale arrangements (for example, a Likert scale with entries like Strongly agree, Agree, Neutral, Disagree, Strongly disagree).
-
Names that are not in any specific order (for example, item names, geographic names, or the names of people).
-
-
Stacked column and 3-D stacked column A stacked column chart shows values in 2-D stacked columns. A 3-D stacked column chart shows the stacked columns in 3-D format, but it doesn’t use a depth axis. Use this chart when you have multiple data series and you want to emphasize the total.
-
100% stacked column and 3-D 100% stacked columnA 100% stacked column chart shows values in 2-D columns that are stacked to represent 100%. A 3-D 100% stacked column chart shows the columns in 3-D format, but it doesn’t use a depth axis. Use this chart when you have two or more data series and you want to emphasize the contributions to the whole, especially if the total is the same for each category.
-
3-D column3-D column charts use three axes that you can change (a horizontal axis, a vertical axis, and a depth axis), and they compare data points along the horizontal and the depth axes. Use this chart when you want to compare data across both categories and data series.
Data that's arranged in columns or rows on a worksheet can be plotted in a line chart. In a line chart, category data is distributed evenly along the horizontal axis, and all value data is distributed evenly along the vertical axis. Line charts can show continuous data over time on an evenly scaled axis, so they're ideal for showing trends in data at equal intervals, like months, quarters, or fiscal years.
Types of line charts
-
Line and line with markersShown with or without markers to indicate individual data values, line charts can show trends over time or evenly spaced categories, especially when you have many data points and the order in which they are presented is important. If there are many categories or the values are approximate, use a line chart without markers.
-
Stacked line and stacked line with markersShown with or without markers to indicate individual data values, stacked line charts can show the trend of the contribution of each value over time or evenly spaced categories.
-
100% stacked line and 100% stacked line with markersShown with or without markers to indicate individual data values, 100% stacked line charts can show the trend of the percentage each value contributes over time or evenly spaced categories. If there are many categories or the values are approximate, use a 100% stacked line chart without markers.
-
3-D line3-D line charts show each row or column of data as a 3-D ribbon. A 3-D line chart has horizontal, vertical, and depth axes that you can change.
Notes:
-
Line charts work best when you have multiple data series in your chart—if you have only one data series, consider using a scatter chart instead.
-
Stacked line charts sum the data, which might not be the result you want. It might not be easy to see that the lines are stacked, so consider using a different line chart type or a stacked area chart instead.
-
Data that's arranged in one column or row on a worksheet can be plotted in a pie chart. Pie charts show the size of items in one data series, proportional to the sum of the items. The data points in a pie chart are shown as a percentage of the whole pie.
Consider using a pie chart when:
-
You have only one data series.
-
None of the values in your data are negative.
-
Almost none of the values in your data are zero values.
-
You have no more than seven categories, all of which represent parts of the whole pie.
Types of pie charts
-
Pie and 3-D piePie charts show the contribution of each value to a total in a 2-D or 3-D format. You can pull out slices of a pie chart manually to emphasize the slices.
-
Pie of pie and bar of piePie of pie or bar of pie charts show pie charts with smaller values pulled out into a secondary pie or stacked bar chart, which makes them easier to distinguish.
Data that's arranged in columns or rows only on a worksheet can be plotted in a doughnut chart. Like a pie chart, a doughnut chart shows the relationship of parts to a whole, but it can contain more than one data series.
Types of doughnut charts
-
DoughnutDoughnut charts show data in rings, where each ring represents a data series. If percentages are shown in data labels, each ring will total 100%.
Note:Doughnut charts aren't easy to read. You may want to use a stacked column charts or Stacked bar chart instead.
Data that's arranged in columns or rows on a worksheet can be plotted in a bar chart. Bar charts illustrate comparisons among individual items. In a bar chart, the categories are typically organized along the vertical axis, and the values along the horizontal axis.
Consider using a bar chart when:
-
The axis labels are long.
-
The values that are shown are durations.
Types of bar charts
-
Clustered bar and 3-D clustered barA clustered bar chart shows bars in 2-D format. A 3-D clustered bar chart shows bars in 3-D format; it doesn’t use a depth axis.
-
Stacked bar and 3-D stacked barStacked bar charts show the relationship of individual items to the whole in 2-D bars. A 3-D stacked bar chart shows bars in 3-D format; it doesn’t use a depth axis.
-
100% stacked bar and 3-D 100% stacked barA 100% stacked bar shows 2-D bars that compare the percentage that each value contributes to a total across categories. A 3-D 100% stacked bar chart shows bars in 3-D format; it doesn’t use a depth axis.
Data that's arranged in columns or rows on a worksheet can be plotted in an area chart. Area charts can be used to plot change over time and draw attention to the total value across a trend. By showing the sum of the plotted values, an area chart also shows the relationship of parts to a whole.
Types of area charts
-
Area and 3-D areaShown in 2-D or in 3-D format, area charts show the trend of values over time or other category data. 3-D area charts use three axes (horizontal, vertical, and depth) that you can change. As a rule, consider using a line chart instead of a non-stacked area chart, because data from one series can be hidden behind data from another series.
-
Stacked area and 3-D stacked areaStacked area charts show the trend of the contribution of each value over time or other category data in 2-D format. A 3-D stacked area chart does the same, but it shows areas in 3-D format without using a depth axis.
-
100% stacked area and 3-D 100% stacked area100% stacked area charts show the trend of the percentage that each value contributes over time or other category data. A 3-D 100% stacked area chart does the same, but it shows areas in 3-D format without using a depth axis.
Data that's arranged in columns and rows on a worksheet can be plotted in an xy (scatter) chart. Place the x values in one row or column, and then enter the corresponding y values in the adjacent rows or columns.
A scatter chart has two value axes: a horizontal (x) and a vertical (y) value axis. It combines x and y values into single data points and shows them in irregular intervals, or clusters. Scatter charts are typically used for showing and comparing numeric values, like scientific, statistical, and engineering data.
Consider using a scatter chart when:
-
You want to change the scale of the horizontal axis.
-
You want to make that axis a logarithmic scale.
-
Values for horizontal axis are not evenly spaced.
-
There are many data points on the horizontal axis.
-
You want to adjust the independent axis scales of a scatter chart to reveal more information about data that includes pairs or grouped sets of values.
-
You want to show similarities between large sets of data instead of differences between data points.
-
You want to compare many data points without regard to time—the more data that you include in a scatter chart, the better the comparisons you can make.
Types of scatter charts
-
ScatterThis chart shows data points without connecting lines to compare pairs of values.
-
Scatter with smooth lines and markers and scatter with smooth linesThis chart shows a smooth curve that connects the data points. Smooth lines can be shown with or without markers. Use a smooth line without markers if there are many data points.
-
Scatter with straight lines and markers and scatter with straight linesThis chart shows straight connecting lines between data points. Straight lines can be shown with or without markers.
Much like a scatter chart, a bubble chart adds a third column to specify the size of the bubbles it shows to represent the data points in the data series.
Type of bubble charts
-
Bubble or bubble with 3-D effectBoth of these bubble charts compare sets of three values instead of two, showing bubbles in 2-D or 3-D format (without using a depth axis). The third value specifies the size of the bubble marker.
Data that's arranged in columns or rows in a specific order on a worksheet can be plotted in a stock chart. As the name implies, stock charts can show fluctuations in stock prices. However, this chart can also show fluctuations in other data, like daily rainfall or annual temperatures. Make sure you organize your data in the right order to create a stock chart.
For example, to create a simple high-low-close stock chart, arrange your data with High, Low, and Close entered as column headings, in that order.
Types of stock charts
-
High-low-closeThis stock chart uses three series of values in the following order: high, low, and then close.
-
Open-high-low-closeThis stock chart uses four series of values in the following order: open, high, low, and then close.
-
Volume-high-low-closeThis stock chart uses four series of values in the following order: volume, high, low, and then close. It measures volume by using two value axes: one for the columns that measure volume, and the other for the stock prices.
-
Volume-open-high-low-closeThis stock chart uses five series of values in the following order: volume, open, high, low, and then close.
Data that's arranged in columns or rows on a worksheet can be plotted in a surface chart. This chart is useful when you want to find optimum combinations between two sets of data. As in a topographic map, colors and patterns indicate areas that are in the same range of values. You can create a surface chart when both categories and data series are numeric values.
Types of surface charts
-
3-D surfaceThis chart shows a 3-D view of the data, which can be imagined as a rubber sheet stretched over a 3-D column chart. It is typically used to show relationships between large amounts of data that may otherwise be difficult to see. Color bands in a surface chart do not represent the data series; they indicate the difference between the values.
-
Wireframe 3-D surfaceShown without color on the surface, a 3-D surface chart is called a wireframe 3-D surface chart. This chart shows only the lines. A wireframe 3-D surface chart isn’t easy to read, but it can plot large data sets much faster than a 3-D surface chart.
-
ContourContour charts are surface charts viewed from above, similar to 2-D topographic maps. In a contour chart, color bands represent specific ranges of values. The lines in a contour chart connect interpolated points of equal value.
-
Wireframe contourWireframe contour charts are also surface charts viewed from above. Without color bands on the surface, a wireframe chart shows only the lines. Wireframe contour charts aren’t easy to read. You may want to use a 3-D surface chart instead.
Data that's arranged in columns or rows on a worksheet can be plotted in a radar chart. Radar charts compare the aggregate values of several data series.
Type of radar charts
-
Radar and radar with markersWith or without markers for individual data points, radar charts show changes in values relative to a center point.
-
Filled radarIn a filled radar chart, the area covered by a data series is filled with a color.
The treemap chart provides a hierarchical view of your data and an easy way to compare different levels of categorization. The treemap chart displays categories by color and proximity and can easily show lots of data which would be difficult with other chart types. The treemap chart can be plotted when empty (blank) cells exist within the hierarchal structure and treemap charts are good for comparing proportions within the hierarchy.
Note:There are no chart sub-types for treemap charts.
The sunburst chart is ideal for displaying hierarchical data and can be plotted when empty (blank) cells exist within the hierarchal structure . Each level of the hierarchy is represented by one ring or circle with the innermost circle as the top of the hierarchy. A sunburst chart without any hierarchical data (one level of categories), looks similar to a doughnut chart. However, a sunburst chart with multiple levels of categories shows how the outer rings relate to the inner rings. The sunburst chart is most effective at showing how one ring is broken into its contributing pieces.
Note:There are no chart sub-types for sunburst charts.
Data plotted in a histogram chart shows the frequencies within a distribution. Each column of the chart is called a bin, which can be changed to further analyze your data.
Type of histogram charts
-
HistogramThe histogram chart shows the distribution of your data grouped into frequency bins.
-
Pareto chartA pareto is a sorted histogram chart that contains both columns sorted in descending order and a line representing the cumulative total percentage.
A box and whisker chart shows distribution of data into quartiles, highlighting the mean and outliers. The boxes may have lines extending vertically called “whiskers”. These lines indicate variability outside the upper and lower quartiles, and any point outside those lines or whiskers is considered an outlier. Use this chart type when there are multiple data sets which relate to each other in some way.
Note:There are no chart sub-types for box and whisker charts.
A waterfall chart shows a running total of your financial data as values are added or subtracted. It's useful for understanding how an initial value is affected by a series of positive and negative values. The columns are color coded so you can quickly tell positive from negative numbers.
Note:There are no chart sub-types for waterfall charts.
Funnel charts show values across multiple stages in a process.
Typically, the values decrease gradually, allowing the bars to resemble a funnel. Read more about funnel charts here.
Data that's arranged in columns and rows can be plotted in a combo chart. Combo charts combine two or more chart types to make the data easy to understand, especially when the data is widely varied. Shown with a secondary axis, this chart is even easier to read. In this example, we used a column chart to show the number of homes sold between January and June and then used a line chart to make it easier for readers to quickly identify the average sales price by month.
Type of combo charts
-
Clustered column – line and clustered column – line on secondary axisWith or without a secondary axis, this chart combines a clustered column and line chart, showing some data series as columns and others as lines in the same chart.
-
Stacked area – clustered columnThis chart combines a stacked area and clustered column chart, showing some data series as stacked areas and others as columns in the same chart.
-
Custom combinationThis chart lets you combine the charts you want to show in the same chart.
You can use a Map Chart to compare values and show categories across geographical regions. Use it when you have geographical regions in your data, like countries/regions, states, counties or postal codes.
For example, Countries by Population uses values. The values represent the total population in each country, with each portrayed using a gradient spectrum of two colors. The color for each region is dictated by where along the spectrum its value falls with respect to the others.
In the following example, Countries by Category, the categories are displayed using a standard legend to show groups or affiliations. Each data point is represented by an entirely different color.
Change a chart type
If you have already have a chart, but you just want to change its type:
-
Select the chart, click the Design tab, and click Change Chart Type.
-
Choose a new chart type in the Change Chart Type box.
Many chart types are available to help you display data in ways that are meaningful to your audience. Here are some examples of the most common chart types and how they can be used.
- Which version of Office are you using?
- Newer versions
- Office for Mac 2011
Data that is arranged in columns or rows on an Excel sheet can be plotted in a column chart. In column charts, categories are typically organized along the horizontal axis and values along the vertical axis.
Column charts are useful to show how data changes over time or to show comparisons among items.
Column charts have the following chart subtypes:
-
Clustered column chart Compares values across categories. A clustered column chart displays values in 2-D vertical rectangles. A clustered column in a 3-D chart displays the data by using a 3-D perspective.
-
Stacked column chart Shows the relationship of individual items to the whole, comparing the contribution of each value to a total across categories. A stacked column chart displays values in 2-D vertical stacked rectangles. A 3-D stacked column chart displays the data by using a 3-D perspective. A 3-D perspective is not a true 3-D chart because a third value axis (depth axis) is not used.
-
100% stacked column chart Compares the percentage that each value contributes to a total across categories. A 100% stacked column chart displays values in 2-D vertical 100% stacked rectangles. A 3-D 100% stacked column chart displays the data by using a 3-D perspective. A 3-D perspective is not a true 3-D chart because a third value axis (depth axis) is not used.
-
3-D column chart Uses three axes that you can change (a horizontal axis, a vertical axis, and a depth axis). They compare data points along the horizontal and the depth axes.
Data that is arranged in columns or rows on an Excel sheet can be plotted in a line chart. Line charts can display continuous data over time, set against a common scale, and are therefore ideal to show trends in data at equal intervals. In a line chart, category data is distributed evenly along the horizontal axis, and all value data is distributed evenly along the vertical axis.
Line charts work well if your category labels are text, and represent evenly spaced values such as months, quarters, or fiscal years.
Line charts have the following chart subtypes:
-
Line chart with or without markers Shows trends over time or ordered categories, especially when there are many data points and the order in which they are presented is important. If there are many categories or the values are approximate, use a line chart without markers.
-
Stacked line chart with or without markers Shows the trend of the contribution of each value over time or ordered categories. If there are many categories or the values are approximate, use a stacked line chart without markers.
-
100% stacked line chart displayed with or without markers Shows the trend of the percentage each value contributes over time or ordered categories. If there are many categories or the values are approximate, use a 100% stacked line chart without markers.
-
3-D line chart Shows each row or column of data as a 3-D ribbon. A 3-D line chart has horizontal, vertical, and depth axes that you can change.
Data that is arranged in one column or row only on an Excel sheet can be plotted in a pie chart. Pie charts show the size of items in one data series, proportional to the sum of the items. The data points in a pie chart are displayed as a percentage of the whole pie.
Consider using a pie chart when you have only one data series that you want to plot, none of the values that you want to plot are negative, almost none of the values that you want to plot are zero values, you don't have more than seven categories, and the categories represent parts of the whole pie.
Pie charts have the following chart subtypes:
-
Pie chart Displays the contribution of each value to a total in a 2-D or 3-D format. You can pull out slices of a pie chart manually to emphasize the slices.
-
Pie of pie or bar of pie chart Displays pie charts with user-defined values that are extracted from the main pie chart and combined into a secondary pie chart or into a stacked bar chart. These chart types are useful when you want to make small slices in the main pie chart easier to distinguish.
-
Doughnut chart Like a pie chart, a doughnut chart shows the relationship of parts to a whole. However, it can contain more than one data series. Each ring of the doughnut chart represents a data series. Displays data in rings, where each ring represents a data series. If percentages are displayed in data labels, each ring will total 100%.
Data that is arranged in columns or rows on an Excel sheet can be plotted in a bar chart.
Use bar charts to show comparisons among individual items.
Bar charts have the following chart subtypes:
-
Clustered bar and 3-D Clustered bar chart Compares values across categories. In a clustered bar chart, the categories are typically organized along the vertical axis, and the values along the horizontal axis. A clustered bar in 3-D chart displays the horizontal rectangles in 3-D format. It does not display the data on three axes.
-
Stacked bar and 3-D Stacked bar chart Shows the relationship of individual items to the whole. A stacked bar in 3-D chart displays the horizontal rectangles in 3-D format. It does not display the data on three axes.
-
100% stacked bar chart and 100% stacked bar chart in 3-D Compares the percentage that each value contributes to a total across categories. A 100% stacked bar in 3-D chart displays the horizontal rectangles in 3-D format. It does not display the data on three axes.
Data that is arranged in columns and rows on an Excel sheet can be plotted in an xy (scatter) chart. A scatter chart has two value axes. It shows one set of numeric data along the horizontal axis (x-axis) and another along the vertical axis (y-axis). It combines these values into single data points and displays them in irregular intervals, or clusters.
Scatter charts show the relationships among the numeric values in several data series, or plot two groups of numbers as one series of xy coordinates. Scatter charts are typically used for displaying and comparing numeric values, such as scientific, statistical, and engineering data.
Scatter charts have the following chart subtypes:
-
Scatter chart Compares pairs of values. Use a scatter chart with data markers but without lines if you have many data points and connecting lines would make the data more difficult to read. You can also use this chart type when you do not have to show connectivity of the data points.
-
Scatter chart with smooth lines and scatter chart with smooth lines and markers Displays a smooth curve that connects the data points. Smooth lines can be displayed with or without markers. Use a smooth line without markers if there are many data points.
-
Scatter chart with straight lines and scatter chart with straight lines and markers Displays straight connecting lines between data points. Straight lines can be displayed with or without markers.
-
Bubble chart or bubble chart with 3-D effectA bubble chart is a kind of xy (scatter) chart, where the size of the bubble represents the value of a third variable. Compares sets of three values instead of two. The third value determines the size of the bubble marker. You can choose to display bubbles in 2-D format or with a 3-D effect.
Data that is arranged in columns or rows on an Excel sheet can be plotted in an area chart. By displaying the sum of the plotted values, an area chart also shows the relationship of parts to a whole.
Area charts emphasize the magnitude of change over time, and can be used to draw attention to the total value across a trend. For example, data that represents profit over time can be plotted in an area chart to emphasize the total profit.
Area charts have the following chart subtypes:
-
Area chart Displays the trend of values over time or other category data. 3-D area charts use three axes (horizontal, vertical, and depth) that you can change. Generally, consider using a line chart instead of a nonstacked area chart because data from one series can be obscured by data from another series.
-
Stacked area chart Displays the trend of the contribution of each value over time or other category data. A stacked area chart in 3-D is displayed in the same manner but uses a 3-D perspective. A 3-D perspective is not a true 3-D chart because a third value axis (depth axis) is not used.
-
100% stacked area chart Displays the trend of the percentage that each value contributes over time or other category data. A 100% stacked area chart in 3-D is displayed in the same manner but uses a 3-D perspective. A 3-D perspective is not a true 3-D chart because a third value axis (depth axis) is not used.
Data that is arranged in columns or rows in a specific order on an Excel sheet can be plotted in a stock chart.
As its name implies, a stock chart is most frequently used to show the fluctuation of stock prices. However, this chart may also be used for scientific data. For example, you could use a stock chart to indicate the fluctuation of daily or annual temperatures.
Stock charts have the following chart sub-types:
-
High-Low-Close stock chart Illustrates stock prices. It requires three series of values in the correct order: high, low, and then close.
-
Open-High-Low-Close stock chart Requires four series of values in the correct order: open, high, low, and then close.
-
Volume-High-Low-Close stock chart Requires four series of values in the correct order: volume, high, low, and then close. It measures volume by using two value axes: one for the columns that measure volume, and the other for the stock prices.
-
Volume-Open-High-Low-Close stock chart Requires five series of values in the correct order: volume, open, high, low, and then close.
Data that is arranged in columns or rows on an Excel sheet can be plotted in a surface chart. As in a topographic map, colors and patterns indicate areas that are in the same range of values.
A surface chart is useful when you want to find optimal combinations between two sets of data.
Surface charts have the following chart subtypes:
-
3-D surface chart Shows trends in values across two dimensions in a continuous curve. Color bands in a surface chart do not represent the data series. They represent the difference between the values. This chart shows a 3-D view of the data, which can be imagined as a rubber sheet stretched over a 3-D column chart. It is typically used to show relationships between large amounts of data that may otherwise be difficult to see.
-
Wireframe 3-D surface chart Shows only the lines. A wireframe 3-D surface chart is not easy to read, but this chart type is useful for faster plotting of large data sets.
-
Contour chart Surface charts viewed from above, similar to 2-D topographic maps. In a contour chart, color bands represent specific ranges of values. The lines in a contour chart connect interpolated points of equal value.
-
Wireframe contour chart Surface charts viewed from above. Without color bands on the surface, a wireframe chart shows only the lines. Wireframe contour charts are not easy to read. You may want to use a 3-D surface chart instead.
In a radar chart, each category has its own value axis radiating from the center point. Lines connect all the values in the same series.
Use radar charts to compare the aggregate values of several data series.
Radar charts have the following chart subtypes:
-
Radar chart Displays changes in values in relation to a center point.
-
Radar with markers Displays changes in values in relation to a center point with markers.
-
Filled radar chart Displays changes in values in relation to a center point, and fills the area covered by a data series with color.
You can use a Map Chart to compare values and show categories across geographical regions. Use it when you have geographical regions in your data, like countries/regions, states, counties or postal codes.
| | |
For more information, see Create a map chart.
Funnel charts show values across multiple stages in a process.
Typically, the values decrease gradually, allowing the bars to resemble a funnel. For more information, see Create a funnel chart.
The treemap chart provides a hierarchical view of your data and an easy way to compare different levels of categorization. The treemap chart displays categories by color and proximity and can easily show lots of data which would be difficult with other chart types. The treemap chart can be plotted when empty (blank) cells exist within the hierarchal structure and treemap charts are good for comparing proportions within the hierarchy.
There are no chart sub-types for treemap charts.
For more information, see Create a treemap chart.
The sunburst chart is ideal for displaying hierarchical data and can be plotted when empty (blank) cells exist within the hierarchal structure . Each level of the hierarchy is represented by one ring or circle with the innermost circle as the top of the hierarchy. A sunburst chart without any hierarchical data (one level of categories), looks similar to a doughnut chart. However, a sunburst chart with multiple levels of categories shows how the outer rings relate to the inner rings. The sunburst chart is most effective at showing how one ring is broken into its contributing pieces.
There are no chart sub-types for sunburst charts.
For more information, see Create a sunburst chart.
A waterfall chart shows a running total of your financial data as values are added or subtracted. It's useful for understanding how an initial value is affected by a series of positive and negative values. The columns are color coded so you can quickly tell positive from negative numbers.
There are no chart sub-types for waterfall charts.
For more information, see Create a waterfall chart.
Data plotted in a histogram chart shows the frequencies within a distribution. Each column of the chart is called a bin, which can be changed to further analyze your data.
Types of histogram charts
-
HistogramThe histogram chart shows the distribution of your data grouped into frequency bins.
-
Pareto chartA pareto is a sorted histogram chart that contains both columns sorted in descending order and a line representing the cumulative total percentage.
More information is available for Histogram and Pareto charts.
A box and whisker chart shows distribution of data into quartiles, highlighting the mean and outliers. The boxes may have lines extending vertically called “whiskers”. These lines indicate variability outside the upper and lower quartiles, and any point outside those lines or whiskers is considered an outlier. Use this chart type when there are multiple data sets which relate to each other in some way.
For more information, see Create a box and whisker chart.
Data that is arranged in columns or rows on an Excel sheet can be plotted in a column chart. In column charts, categories are typically organized along the horizontal axis and values along the vertical axis.
Column charts are useful to show how data changes over time or to show comparisons among items.
Column charts have the following chart subtypes:
-
Clustered column chart Compares values across categories. A clustered column chart displays values in 2-D vertical rectangles. A clustered column in a 3-D chart displays the data by using a 3-D perspective.
-
Stacked column chart Shows the relationship of individual items to the whole, comparing the contribution of each value to a total across categories. A stacked column chart displays values in 2-D vertical stacked rectangles. A 3-D stacked column chart displays the data by using a 3-D perspective. A 3-D perspective is not a true 3-D chart because a third value axis (depth axis) is not used.
-
100% stacked column chart Compares the percentage that each value contributes to a total across categories. A 100% stacked column chart displays values in 2-D vertical 100% stacked rectangles. A 3-D 100% stacked column chart displays the data by using a 3-D perspective. A 3-D perspective is not a true 3-D chart because a third value axis (depth axis) is not used.
-
3-D column chart Uses three axes that you can change (a horizontal axis, a vertical axis, and a depth axis). They compare data points along the horizontal and the depth axes.
-
Cylinder, cone, and pyramid chart Available in the same clustered, stacked, 100% stacked, and 3-D chart types that are provided for rectangular column charts. They show and compare data in the same manner. The only difference is that these chart types display cylinder, cone, and pyramid shapes instead of rectangles.
Data that is arranged in columns or rows on an Excel sheet can be plotted in a line chart. Line charts can display continuous data over time, set against a common scale, and are therefore ideal to show trends in data at equal intervals. In a line chart, category data is distributed evenly along the horizontal axis, and all value data is distributed evenly along the vertical axis.
Line charts work well if your category labels are text, and represent evenly spaced values such as months, quarters, or fiscal years.
Line charts have the following chart subtypes:
-
Line chart with or without markers Shows trends over time or ordered categories, especially when there are many data points and the order in which they are presented is important. If there are many categories or the values are approximate, use a line chart without markers.
-
Stacked line chart with or without markers Shows the trend of the contribution of each value over time or ordered categories. If there are many categories or the values are approximate, use a stacked line chart without markers.
-
100% stacked line chart displayed with or without markers Shows the trend of the percentage each value contributes over time or ordered categories. If there are many categories or the values are approximate, use a 100% stacked line chart without markers.
-
3-D line chart Shows each row or column of data as a 3-D ribbon. A 3-D line chart has horizontal, vertical, and depth axes that you can change.
Data that is arranged in one column or row only on an Excel sheet can be plotted in a pie chart. Pie charts show the size of items in one data series, proportional to the sum of the items. The data points in a pie chart are displayed as a percentage of the whole pie.
Consider using a pie chart when you have only one data series that you want to plot, none of the values that you want to plot are negative, almost none of the values that you want to plot are zero values, you don't have more than seven categories, and the categories represent parts of the whole pie.
Pie charts have the following chart subtypes:
-
Pie chart Displays the contribution of each value to a total in a 2-D or 3-D format. You can pull out slices of a pie chart manually to emphasize the slices.
-
Pie of pie or bar of pie chart Displays pie charts with user-defined values that are extracted from the main pie chart and combined into a secondary pie chart or into a stacked bar chart. These chart types are useful when you want to make small slices in the main pie chart easier to distinguish.
-
Exploded pie chart Displays the contribution of each value to a total while emphasizing individual values. Exploded pie charts can be displayed in 3-D format. You can change the pie explosion setting for all slices and individual slices. However, you cannot move the slices of an exploded pie manually.
Data that is arranged in columns or rows on an Excel sheet can be plotted in a bar chart.
Use bar charts to show comparisons among individual items.
Bar charts have the following chart subtypes:
-
Clustered bar chart Compares values across categories. In a clustered bar chart, the categories are typically organized along the vertical axis, and the values along the horizontal axis. A clustered bar in 3-D chart displays the horizontal rectangles in 3-D format. It does not display the data on three axes.
-
Stacked bar chart Shows the relationship of individual items to the whole. A stacked bar in 3-D chart displays the horizontal rectangles in 3-D format. It does not display the data on three axes.
-
100% stacked bar chart and 100% stacked bar chart in 3-D Compares the percentage that each value contributes to a total across categories. A 100% stacked bar in 3-D chart displays the horizontal rectangles in 3-D format. It does not display the data on three axes.
-
Horizontal cylinder, cone, and pyramid chart Available in the same clustered, stacked, and 100% stacked chart types that are provided for rectangular bar charts. They show and compare data the same manner. The only difference is that these chart types display cylinder, cone, and pyramid shapes instead of horizontal rectangles.
Data that is arranged in columns or rows on an Excel sheet can be plotted in an area chart. By displaying the sum of the plotted values, an area chart also shows the relationship of parts to a whole.
Area charts emphasize the magnitude of change over time, and can be used to draw attention to the total value across a trend. For example, data that represents profit over time can be plotted in an area chart to emphasize the total profit.
Area charts have the following chart subtypes:
-
Area chart Displays the trend of values over time or other category data. 3-D area charts use three axes (horizontal, vertical, and depth) that you can change. Generally, consider using a line chart instead of a nonstacked area chart because data from one series can be obscured by data from another series.
-
Stacked area chart Displays the trend of the contribution of each value over time or other category data. A stacked area chart in 3-D is displayed in the same manner but uses a 3-D perspective. A 3-D perspective is not a true 3-D chart because a third value axis (depth axis) is not used.
-
100% stacked area chart Displays the trend of the percentage that each value contributes over time or other category data. A 100% stacked area chart in 3-D is displayed in the same manner but uses a 3-D perspective. A 3-D perspective is not a true 3-D chart because a third value axis (depth axis) is not used.
Data that is arranged in columns and rows on an Excel sheet can be plotted in an xy (scatter) chart. A scatter chart has two value axes. It shows one set of numeric data along the horizontal axis (x-axis) and another along the vertical axis (y-axis). It combines these values into single data points and displays them in irregular intervals, or clusters.
Scatter charts show the relationships among the numeric values in several data series, or plot two groups of numbers as one series of xy coordinates. Scatter charts are typically used for displaying and comparing numeric values, such as scientific, statistical, and engineering data.
Scatter charts have the following chart subtypes:
-
Scatter chart with markers only Compares pairs of values. Use a scatter chart with data markers but without lines if you have many data points and connecting lines would make the data more difficult to read. You can also use this chart type when you do not have to show connectivity of the data points.
-
Scatter chart with smooth lines and scatter chart with smooth lines and markers Displays a smooth curve that connects the data points. Smooth lines can be displayed with or without markers. Use a smooth line without markers if there are many data points.
-
Scatter chart with straight lines and scatter chart with straight lines and markers Displays straight connecting lines between data points. Straight lines can be displayed with or without markers.
A bubble chart is a kind of xy (scatter) chart, where the size of the bubble represents the value of a third variable.
Bubble charts have the following chart subtypes:
-
Bubble chart or bubble chart with 3-D effect Compares sets of three values instead of two. The third value determines the size of the bubble marker. You can choose to display bubbles in 2-D format or with a 3-D effect.
Data that is arranged in columns or rows in a specific order on an Excel sheet can be plotted in a stock chart.
As its name implies, a stock chart is most frequently used to show the fluctuation of stock prices. However, this chart may also be used for scientific data. For example, you could use a stock chart to indicate the fluctuation of daily or annual temperatures.
Stock charts have the following chart sub-types:
-
High-low-close stock chart Illustrates stock prices. It requires three series of values in the correct order: high, low, and then close.
-
Open-high-low-close stock chart Requires four series of values in the correct order: open, high, low, and then close.
-
Volume-high-low-close stock chart Requires four series of values in the correct order: volume, high, low, and then close. It measures volume by using two value axes: one for the columns that measure volume, and the other for the stock prices.
-
Volume-open-high-low-close stock chart Requires five series of values in the correct order: volume, open, high, low, and then close.
Data that is arranged in columns or rows on an Excel sheet can be plotted in a surface chart. As in a topographic map, colors and patterns indicate areas that are in the same range of values.
A surface chart is useful when you want to find optimal combinations between two sets of data.
Surface charts have the following chart subtypes:
-
3-D surface chart Shows trends in values across two dimensions in a continuous curve. Color bands in a surface chart do not represent the data series. They represent the difference between the values. This chart shows a 3-D view of the data, which can be imagined as a rubber sheet stretched over a 3-D column chart. It is typically used to show relationships between large amounts of data that may otherwise be difficult to see.
-
Wireframe 3-D surface chart Shows only the lines. A wireframe 3-D surface chart is not easy to read, but this chart type is useful for faster plotting of large data sets.
-
Contour chart Surface charts viewed from above, similar to 2-D topographic maps. In a contour chart, color bands represent specific ranges of values. The lines in a contour chart connect interpolated points of equal value.
-
Wireframe contour chart Surface charts viewed from above. Without color bands on the surface, a wireframe chart shows only the lines. Wireframe contour charts are not easy to read. You may want to use a 3-D surface chart instead.
Like a pie chart, a doughnut chart shows the relationship of parts to a whole. However, it can contain more than one data series. Each ring of the doughnut chart represents a data series.
Doughnut charts have the following chart subtypes:
-
Doughnut chart Displays data in rings, where each ring represents a data series. If percentages are displayed in data labels, each ring will total 100%.
-
Exploded doughnut chart Displays the contribution of each value to a total while emphasizing individual values. However, they can contain more than one data series.
In a radar chart, each category has its own value axis radiating from the center point. Lines connect all the values in the same series.
Use radar charts to compare the aggregate values of several data series.
Radar charts have the following chart subtypes:
-
Radar chart Displays changes in values in relation to a center point.
-
Filled radar chart Displays changes in values in relation to a center point, and fills the area covered by a data series with color.
Change a chart type
If you have already have a chart, but you just want to change its type:
-
Select the chart, click the Chart Design tab, and click Change Chart Type.
-
Select a new chart type in the gallery of available options.
See Also
Create a chart with recommended charts
