The Infographic below (scroll down) helps you decide which Excel chart to use based on the data that you have and message that you want to convey.
EXCEL COLUMN CHART: Use this Chart if you have less than 12 data points & want to show trends.
E.g. Monthly or Annual data points Click Here To Get Our Free Excel Chart Templates
EXCEL LINE CHART: Use this Chart if you have more than 12 data points & want to show trends .
E.g. Historic results or Statistical data Click Here To Get Our Free Excel Chart Templates
EXCEL PIE CHARTS: Use this Chart for component comparisons only (Sums to 100%)
E.g. Market share Click Here To Get Our Free Excel Chart Templates
EXCEL BAR CHARTS: Use this Chart if you have long names and want to compare
E.g. Competitor analysis Click Here To Get Our Free Excel Chart Templates
EXCEL SCATTER CHART: Use this Chart if you have 2 variables and want to show a relationship.
E.g. GDP v Income or Speed Limit v Accidents Click Here To Get Our Free Excel Chart Templates
EXCEL BUBBLE CHART: Use this Chart if you have 3 variables and want to show a relationship.
E.g. GDP v Income V Population (Size of bubble is the 3rd variable) Click Here To Get Our Free Excel Chart Templates
*** Click on the image to enlarge or right click on the image to save image/target to your desktop ***
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.
