Free Practice WorkbookWhen you are showing 12 month sales results using a Line Chart and want to highlight certain values within the chart to make them stand out (like Q2 & Q3 results), then an Area Chart will be needed.
Key Takeaways
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Emphasize Key Data Segments – Area charts allow you to visually highlight specific ranges or trends in your dataset.
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Use Multiple Series for Control – Adding a second series lets you selectively shade parts of the chart for emphasis.
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Layered Formatting Adds Clarity – Adjusting transparency, color, and overlap can help highlight sections without overwhelming the chart.
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Great for Trend Comparisons – Highlighted sections help viewers quickly identify changes or focus areas in time-series data.
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Enhances Dashboard Storytelling – Customizing chart highlights makes your data more impactful and easier to interpret in presentations.
Table of Contents
How to Create Area Chart in Excel
To do this there are a few steps to follow:
1. Enter the Line Chart for the 12 months of sales;
2. Enter the values you want to highlight on a separate column next to the sales;
3. Click on the Line Chart and drag the blue line that is in the sales column to include the new column (in point 2);
4. Click on the chart and go to Chart Tools > Layout > Select Series 2;
5. Go to Chart Tools > Design > Change Chart Type > Area Chart;
6. Right click in the Area Chart and format it to your liking with a light color.
Frequently Asked Questions
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What is an area chart in Excel?
An area chart displays data with filled areas under lines, often used to show cumulative values or emphasize volume. -
How do I highlight a section of an area chart?
Add a second data series representing only the range you want to highlight, and format it with a contrasting color or transparency. -
Can I add labels to highlighted sections?
Yes, you can manually insert text boxes or use data labels to call out important points on the highlighted area. -
Are area charts suitable for all types of data?
They work best for time-series or stacked values; they are less suitable for categorical or non-continuous data. -
Can I combine area charts with other chart types?
Yes, Excel allows combo charts where you can mix area charts with lines or columns to enhance data storytelling.
John Michaloudis is a former accountant and finance analyst at General Electric, a Microsoft MVP since 2020, an Amazon #1 bestselling author of 4 Microsoft Excel books and teacher of Microsoft Excel & Office over at his flagship MyExcelOnline Academy Online Course.
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