How to create an Area Chart in Excel?

In this article, you will learn the essential steps of how to create an area chart in Excel, a visually compelling representation that adds depth to your data visualization. Unlike traditional line charts, area charts fill the space between the line and the axis, creating a shaded area that vividly emphasizes the cumulative value of the data series. This type of chart is particularly useful for showcasing trends and highlighting the magnitude of values over time or across categories. By following our straightforward guide, you can harness Excel’s capabilities to create area charts that enhance the clarity and impact of your data presentations, allowing you to convey intricate patterns and relationships with ease.

How to create an Area Chart in Excel?

Here are the detailed steps on how to create an area chart in Excel:

1. Open Your Excel Spreadsheet: Launch Microsoft Excel and open the spreadsheet containing the data you want to visualize.
2. Select Your Data: Highlight the range of cells that contains the data you want to represent in the area chart. Ensure your data has clear headers.
3. Go to the “Insert” Tab: Navigate to the “Insert” tab in the Excel ribbon at the top of the screen.
4. Choose “Area Chart” Type: In the “Charts” or “Chart Types” group, click on the “Area Chart” option. You’ll likely have various subtypes to choose from, such as basic area, stacked area, or 100% stacked area.
5. Insert the Chart: Click on the specific area chart subtype you want, and Excel will automatically insert the chart into your worksheet.
6. Adjust Chart Data and Labels: After inserting the chart, ensure that Excel correctly recognizes your data. If necessary, click on the chart, go to “Chart Design” or “Chart Tools,” and modify the selected data range or series labels.
7. Customize the Chart: Utilize the Chart Tools available in the ribbon to customize the appearance of your area chart. This includes changing colors, titles, axis labels, and other elements to suit your preferences.
8. **Move or Resize the Chart:

Click and drag the area chart to reposition it within the worksheet. You can also resize it by clicking and dragging on its corners.

9. Interact with Data Points: Click on individual data points or the area itself to select and modify them individually. Right-click on the chart to access various options, such as formatting data series or adding data labels.
10. Add Data Labels: Consider adding data labels to each data point or the end of each area to display specific values. This can enhance clarity in understanding the data.
11. Save Your Workbook: Save your Excel workbook to preserve the changes made to the area chart.
12. Update the Chart with New Data: If your source data changes, right-click on the chart and choose “Select Data.” Adjust the data range to update the chart accordingly.
13. Explore Advanced Chart Options: Depending on your needs, explore advanced options such as adjusting the axis scale, adding trendlines, or other features available in the Chart Tools.
14. Add Titles and Legends: Include a title and legend to make your chart more informative. Titles help convey the main message, while legends explain the colors or series represented in the chart.
15. Format Axes and Gridlines: Fine-tune the appearance of axes, gridlines, and other chart elements to align with your preferences.

By following these detailed steps, you can efficiently create an area chart in Excel, providing a visually impactful representation of cumulative data values. Excel’s intuitive charting tools offer flexibility for customization, allowing you to tailor your area chart to suit your specific needs and effectively communicate insights from your dataset.