How to Make Line Graph on Powerpoint TUTORIAL

A line graph is used to show a trend, usually over time. There can be a single data series to testify ane trend or multiple data series to show trends that tin exist compared to each other. It is simple to create a line graph in Excel or PowerPoint but to brand information technology look professional person y'all need to employ these 7 steps to plow the default line graph into one that looks professional.

Replace the legend with direct labels

Whether you have i or multiple lines, the default in Excel and PowerPoint is to add a legend to the graph, usually below, in order to identify each line. Making a viewer jump back and along betwixt the legend and the line is distracting. Instead, add direct labels to each line with the text in the same color as the line. This way it is easier for the viewer to know what the line represents.

Remove gridlines or brand them lighter

In most cases, the horizontal gridlines on a line graph compete visually with the lines that represent the data and tin be removed. If you lot demand the viewer to be able to compare the trend in the data to a known horizontal line (as explained in this article) then the gridlines should remain merely made lighter. Using a medium grey and setting the line to exist dotted often makes the gridlines less prominent and helps the data stand out.

Clean up the axes

By default the vertical axis has values spaced evenly between the minimum and maximum values. Often there are more values than are actually required and the extra labels distract the viewer from the data. Reduce the number of values shown on the vertical axis. This also reduces the number of gridlines which allows amend focus on the data.

Consider selective information labels

Information labels should not be added to each data signal because in a line graph the message is about the trend, not the individual values. You may consider adding a information characterization to selected points to brand the message clearer. One example is when you add data labels to just the first and last point on the line in gild to emphasize the change from the start to the cease of the line. Some other example, illustrated below, is when you add a data characterization to a certain indicate because of its value compared to the other values, unremarkably the maximum or minimum value (creating a customized label such as the 1 shown beneath is explained in this video).

Add text that explains the message

Without text that helps the viewer sympathise the bulletin of the graph, you lot run the risk of misinterpretation. The chart championship should explain the bulletin. You can also add explanatory text that directs the audition to a particular place in the graph where the bulletin is shown.

Increment font sizes and then they are easy to read

The default font sizes for graphs are oftentimes too small for the viewer to easily read. Increase the font sizes then that the text can exist easily read and understood. The chart title should usually be the largest font (and can be in bold), the direct labels on each line and explanatory text next largest, and the axis labels can be slightly smaller.

Use color to focus attending

Past default each line is a different colour based on the order of colors in the color theme. Employ one (or more than) bold colors to emphasize the ane (or few) lines that are most important to the bulletin and use a muted grayness for the other lines and labels. You can as well make the colored lines thicker so they stand out from the balance of the lines. This helps the viewer focus on the line(s) that are nigh important to the message.

To create a professional person looking line graph in Excel or PowerPoint is relatively unproblematic. The steps listed in a higher place took us from the default graph in Excel and PowerPoint:

to a more than professional person looking line graph that the viewer can hands sympathize:

Dave Paradi has over twenty-2 years of experience delivering customized preparation workshops to assist business professionals amend their presentations. He has written ten books and over 600 articles on the topic of constructive presentations and his ideas have appeared in publications effectually the world. His focus is on helping corporate professionals visually communicate the letters in their data then they don't overwhelm and confuse executives. Dave is ane of fewer than ten people in North America recognized past Microsoft with the Most Valuable Professional Award for his contributions to the Excel, PowerPoint, and Teams communities. His manufactures and videos on virtual presenting have been viewed over iii.v 1000000 times and liked over 14,000 times on YouTube.

By Dave Paradi

Dave Paradi has over twenty-two years of feel delivering customized training workshops to help business professionals improve their presentations. He has written ten books and over 600 manufactures on the topic of effective presentations and his ideas have appeared in publications around the world. His focus is on helping corporate professionals visually communicate the letters in their data and so they don't overwhelm and confuse executives. Dave is one of fewer than ten people in North America recognized by Microsoft with the Most Valuable Professional Award for his contributions to the Excel, PowerPoint, and Teams communities. His articles and videos on virtual presenting have been viewed over 3.5 1000000 times and liked over 14,000 times on YouTube.

View all of Dave Paradi's posts.

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