How to Make a Line Graph in Microsoft Excel

This wikiHow teaches you how to create a line graph from Microsoft Excel data. You can do this on both Windows and Mac versions of Excel.

Part 1
Part 1 of 2:

Creating a Graph

  1. Image titled Make a Line Graph in Microsoft Excel Step 1
    1
    Open Microsoft Excel. Double-click the Excel program icon, which resembles a white "X" on a green folder. Excel will open to its home page.
    • If you already have an Excel spreadsheet with data input, instead double-click the spreadsheet and skip the next two steps.
  2. Image titled Make a Line Graph in Microsoft Excel Step 2
    2
    Click Blank Workbook. It's on the Excel home page. Doing so will open a new spreadsheet for your data.
    • On a Mac, Excel may just open to a blank workbook automatically depending on your settings. If so, skip this step.
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  3. Image titled Make a Line Graph in Microsoft Excel Step 3
    3
    Enter your data. A line graph requires two axes in order to function. Enter your data into two columns. For ease of use, set your X-axis data (time) in the left column and your recorded observations in the right column.
    • For example, tracking your budget over the year would have the date in the left column and an expense in the right.
  4. Image titled Make a Line Graph in Microsoft Excel Step 4
    4
    Select your data. Click and drag your mouse from the top-left cell in the data group to the bottom-right cell in the data group. This will highlight all of your data.
    • Make sure you include column headers if you have them.
  5. Image titled Make a Line Graph in Microsoft Excel Step 5
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    Click the Insert tab. It's on the left side of the green ribbon that's at the top of the Excel window. This will open the Insert toolbar below the green ribbon.
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    Click the "Line Graph" icon. It's the box with several lines drawn on it in the Charts group of options. A drop-down menu will appear.
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    Select a graph style. Hover your mouse cursor over a line graph template in the drop-down menu to see what it will look like with your data. You should see a graph window pop up in the middle of your Excel window.
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    Click a graph style. Once you decide on a template, clicking it will create your line graph in the middle of the Excel window.
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Part 2
Part 2 of 2:

Customizing the Graph

  1. Image titled Make a Line Graph in Microsoft Excel Step 9
    1
    Customize your graph's design. Once you create your graph, the Design toolbar will open. You can change your graph's design and appearance by clicking one of the variations in the "Chart Styles" section of the toolbar.
    • If this toolbar doesn't open, click your graph and then click the Design tab in the green ribbon.
  2. Image titled Make a Line Graph in Microsoft Excel Step 10
    2
    Move your line graph. Click and drag the white space near the top of the line graph to move it.
    • You can also move specific sections of the line graph (e.g., the title) by clicking and dragging them around within the line graph's window.
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    Resize the graph. Click and drag one of the circles on one of the edges or corners of the graph window in or out to shrink or enlarge your graph.
  4. Image titled Make a Line Graph in Microsoft Excel Step 12
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    Change the graph's title. Double-click the title of the graph, then select the "Chart Title" text and type in your graph's name. Clicking anywhere off of the graph's name box will save the text.
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Community Q&A

  • Question
    How do I name the y and X axis in the graph?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    1. Click on the graph. 2. Select 'Chart Elements' on the side, which is the plus icon. 3. Tick the 'Axis Titles' box. Some text boxes should appear on the x and y axis.
  • Question
    If multiple lines are present in my chart, how can I view one at a time?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    One method is to hide the relevant rows or columns that you do not wish to show on the graph. Hidden rows and columns are not displayed.
  • Question
    Why do my years show up as numbers?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    Because A,B,C,D,E, and F, mean this: (A:2000->B:2001->C:2002->D:2003->E:2004->F:2005.)
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Warnings

  • Some graphs are geared toward specific sets of data (e.g., percentages or money). Make sure your selected template doesn't have a theme before creating your graph.
    ⧼thumbs_response⧽
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About This Article

Jack Lloyd
Written by:
Jack Lloyd
wikiHow Technology Writer
This article was co-authored by wikiHow staff writer, Jack Lloyd. Jack Lloyd is a Technology Writer and Editor for wikiHow. He has over two years of experience writing and editing technology-related articles. He is technology enthusiast and an English teacher. This article has been viewed 1,491,025 times.
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Co-authors: 23
Updated: February 6, 2023
Views: 1,491,025
Categories: Microsoft Excel | Graphs
Article SummaryX

1. Open a new Excel document.
2. Enter your graph's data.
3. Select the data.
4. Click the green Insert tab.
5. Click the "Line Graph" icon.
6. Click a line graph template.

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