Charts are used in dashboards to provide graphical representations of data which give you at-a-glance views into key performance indicators. It’s important to choose the right charts for what you want to see. If you want to see trends over time, use Line Charts. Using the financial dashboard template, we’re going to display how the example company has performed for the past three years by showing the Net Profit Trend on a line chart
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Applies to: Microsoft® Excel® 2010 and 2013
- Select the Net Profit 3 Year Trend
- Select cells B3:E14.
- Select the Insert
- Select the first Line chart from the Charts
- Select the Line chart.
- Right click one of the Series on the chart.
- Select the Select Data menu item.
- From the Select Data Source window, select Series1 and click the Edit button under Legend Entry Series.
- Place your cursor in the Series Name
10. On the Net Profit 3 Year Trend worksheet, select cell Click OK.
11. From the Select Data Source window, select Series2 and click the Edit button under Legend Entry Series.
12. Place your cursor in the Series Name
13. On the Net Profit 3 Year Trend worksheet, select cell Click OK.
14. From the Select Data Source window, select Series3 and click the Edit button under Legend Entry Series.
15. Place your cursor in the Series Name box.
16. On the Net Profit 3 Year Trend worksheet, select cell E2. Click OK.
17. Click the OK button to exit from the Select Data Source window.
- Right click on one of the Horizontal Axis Major Gridlines and select
- Right click the Horizontal Category Axis and select the Font menu item.
- Change the font size in the Size box to 7. Click OK.
- Right click the Vertical Category Axis and select the Font menu item.
- Change the font size in the Size box to 7. Click OK.
With your chart selected, select the Layout tab from the Chart Tools tab. Select Chart Title.
- Select the Above Chart menu item.
- Select the Title on the chart and place your cursor in the Formula
- Enter = and select cell B1 and press Enter on your keyboard.
- You can change the Font size and color from the Home tab under the Font
- Right click the Vertical Value Axis and select Format Axis.
- From the Axis Options menu, select the Display Units drop down.
- Select Millions.
Based on the trends in the Line chart above, we can analyze the financial performance of the company for the years under review.
