List of Top 8 Types of Charts in MS Excel

  • Column Charts in ExcelLine Chart in ExcelPie Chart in ExcelBar Chart in ExcelBar Chart In ExcelBar charts in excel are helpful in the representation of the single data on the horizontal bar, with categories displayed on the Y-axis and values on the X-axis. To create a bar chart, we need at least two independent and dependent variables.read moreArea Chart in ExcelArea Chart In ExcelThe area chart in Excel is a line chart that shows the impact and changes in various data series over time by separating them with lines and presenting them in different colors. The line chart is used to create this graph.read moreScatter Chart in ExcelStock Chart in ExcelStock Chart In ExcelStock chart in excel is also known as high low close chart in excel because it used to represent the conditions of data in markets such as stocks, the data is the changes in the prices of the stocks, we can insert it from insert tab and also there are actually four types of stock charts, high low close is the most used one as it has three series of price high end and low, we can use up to six series of prices in stock charts.read moreRadar Chart in Excel

Let us discuss each of them in detail: –

Chart #1 – Column Chart

In this type of chart, the data is plotted in columns. Therefore, it is called a column chartColumn ChartColumn chart is used to represent data in vertical columns. The height of the column represents the value for the specific data series in a chart, the column chart represents the comparison in the form of column from left to right.read more.

A column chart is a bar-shaped chart that has a bar placed on the X-axis. This type of chart in Excel is called a column chart because the bars are placed on the columns. Such charts are very useful in case we want to make a comparison.

Chart #2 – Line Chart

Line charts are used if we need to show the trend in data. They are more likely used in analysis rather than showing data visually.

  • First, select the data and the “Insert” tab, then select the “Column” chart. Then, the column chart looks like as given below:

In this chart, a line represents the data movement from one point to another.

  • Select the data and “Insert” tab, then select the “Line” chart.

  • Then, the line chart looks like as given below:

Chart #3 – Pie Chart

A pie chart is a circle-shaped chart capable of representing only one series of data. A pie chart has various variants that are 3-D charts and doughnut charts.

A circle-shaped chart divides itself into various portions to show the quantitative value.

  • Select the data, go to the “Insert” tab, and select the “Pie” chart.

  • Then, the pie chart looks like as given below:

Chart #4 – Bar Chart

In the bar chart, the data is plotted on the Y-axis. That is why this is called a bar chart. Compared to the column chart, these charts use the Y-axis as the primary axis.

This chart is plotted in rows. That is why this is called a row chart.

  • Select the data, go to the “Insert” tab, and then select the “Bar” chart.

  • Then, the bar chart looks like as given below:

Chart #5 – Area Chart

The area chart and the line charts are the same, but the difference that makes a line chart an area chart is that the space between the axis and the plotted value is colored and is not blank.

Using the stacked area chart, this becomes difficult to understand the data as space is colored with the same color for the magnitude that is the same for various datasets.

  • Select the data, go to the “Insert” tab, and select the “Area” chart.

  • Then, the area chart looks like as given below:

Chart #6 – Scatter Chart

The scatter chart in excelScatter Chart In ExcelScatter plot in excel is a two dimensional type of chart to represent data, it has various names such XY chart or Scatter diagram in excel, in this chart we have two sets of data on X and Y axis who are co-related to each other, this chart is mostly used in co-relation studies and regression studies of data.read more plots the data on the coordinates.

  • Select the Data and go to Insert Tab, then select the Scatter Chart.

  • Then, the scatter chart looks like as given below:

Chart #7 – Stock Chart

Such charts are used in stock exchangesStock ExchangesStock exchange refers to a market that facilitates the buying and selling of listed securities such as public company stocks, exchange-traded funds, debt instruments, options, etc., as per the standard regulations and guidelines—for instance, NYSE and NASDAQ.read more or to represent the change in the price of shares.

  • Select the data, go to the “Insert” tab, and then select the “Stock” chart.

  • Then, the stock chart looks like as given below:

Chart #8 – Radar Chart

The radar chartRadar ChartRadar chart in excel is also known as the spider chart in excel or Web or polar chart in excel, it is used to demonstrate data in two dimensional for two or more than two data series, the axes start on the same point in radar chart, this chart is used to do comparison between more than one or two variables, there are three different types of radar charts available to use in excel.read more is similar to the spider web, often called a web chat.

  • Select the data and go to “Insert Tab.” Then, under the “Stock” chart, select the “Radar” chart.

  • Then, the radar chart looks like as given below:

Things to Remember

  • If we copy a chart from one location to another, the data source will remain the same. However, it means that if we make any changes to the data set, both the charts will change, the primary and the copied.For the stock chart, there must be at least two data sets.We can only use a pie chart to represent one series of data. They cannot handle two data series.To keep the chart easy to understand, we should restrict the data series to two or three. Else, the chart will not be understandable.We must add data labels if we have decimals values to represent. If we do not add them, then we cannot understand the chart with accurate precision.

This article is a guide to Types of Charts in Excel. Here, we discuss the top 8 types of graphs in Excel, including column charts, line charts, scatter charts, radar charts, etc., along with practical examples and a downloadable Excel template. You may learn more about Excel from the following articles: –

  • Create Grouped Bar Chart in ExcelCreate Grouped Bar Chart In ExcelGrouped Bar Chart is a Bar Chart type that blends & compares various categories of 2 or more data sets. It is also known as Multi-Series Bar Chart & helps in the efficient interpretation of differences. read moreChart Wizard in ExcelChart Wizard In ExcelThe Chart Wizard in Excel is a type of wizard that walks users through the process of inserting a chart into an Excel spreadsheet in a step-by-step manner.read moreHow to make Graphs/Charts in Excel?How To Make Graphs/Charts In Excel?In Excel, a graph or chart lets us visualize information we’ve gathered from our data. It allows us to visualize data in easy-to-understand pictorial ways. The following components are required to create charts or graphs in Excel: 1 - Numerical Data, 2 - Data Headings, and 3 - Data in Proper Order.read moreDoughnut Excel ChartDoughnut Excel ChartA doughnut chart is a type of excel chart whose visualization is similar to pie chart. The categories in this chart are parts that, when combined, represent the whole data in the chart. A doughnut chart can only be made using data in rows or columns.read more