How to add a line to a chart in Excel

While inserting a chart in your Excel document, you can add a line in the chart. The Horizontal line can be used to compare the dataset and the target. Plotting a line in your Excel document may be challenging, as several workarounds must be followed. This post will guide you through the steps to add a line to your Excel chart.

How to add an average Line to a chart

Steps to follow:

1. Open the Excel application.

2. Open the Workbook that contains the dataset you wish to convert to a chart.

3. Locate another empty column and name it Average. Type the average function, add the arguments, and then hit the Enter button. Drag the formula to other cells of the column.

4. Highlight the dataset, click the Insert tab on the Ribbon, and locate the Chart section.

5. Click the Column chart drop-down button and select the More Column Charts option.

6. An Insert Chart dialogue box opens. In the dialogue box, click the Combo option in the left pane.

7. Then, click on the average section in the choose type section and select the Line option.

8. Finally, click the OK button. That's all you'll have a line in your chart.

 

To add a Target Line to a chart

Steps:

1. Open the Excel application.

2. Open the Workbook that contains the dataset you wish to convert to a chart.

3. Locate another empty column and name it Target. Under this column, add the target you wish to attain. In most cases, the target is common to all cells in the dataset.

4. Highlight the dataset, click the Insert tab on the Ribbon, and locate the Chart section.

5. Click the Column chart drop-down button and select the More Column Charts option.

6. An Insert Chart dialogue box opens. In the dialogue box, click the Combo option in the left pane.

7. Then, in the choose type section, click on the Target section and select the Line option.

8. Finally, click the OK button. That's all you'll have a line in your chart.

To add a Trendline to a chart.

Here are the steps to follow:

1. Open the Excel application.

2. To get started, you need to create a chart. Therefore, add the dataset of your chart to the empty cells.

3. Highlight the dataset you've entered. Click the Insert tab on the Ribbon, and locate the Charts section. Under this section, choose any of the 2-D charts.

4. The chart will automatically be inserted into the worksheet. Then, click anywhere on the inserted chart.

5. Locate the Plus sign symbol (Chart Element tool) on the left side of the chart.

6. In the Chart Element menu, check the Trendline checkbox. The Trendline will be added to your chart.

7. Then, hover the cursor over the Trendline button and select the type of Trendline you want to apply to your chart.