Area Chart in Excel

Last Updated :

21 Aug, 2024

Blog Author :

Wallstreetmojo Team

Edited by :

Ashish Kumar Srivastav

Reviewed by :

Dheeraj Vaidya

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An Area Chart in Excel is a line chart where the data of various series are separated lines and are present in different colors. It shows the impact and changes in various data series over time. Unfortunately, there is no inbuilt chart for the Area Chart in Excel. So instead, we make this chart using the line chart.

For example, you have three products, and you require to know their sales in the past years and which product and how much they have contributed to the overall sales. Here, the Area Chart can help you to determine them in a more pronounced way. In such cases, the Area Charts compare magnitudes between the series and show the relationship of parts to the whole. Moreover, it can help you when you have multiple series of data and want to display the overall contribution of each data set.

Area Chart in Excel

Selecting charts to show the graphical representations is too difficult if many choices exist. Choosing the correct chart type is very important to achieve the results or the aim. It requires lots of experience and effort to select the right chart.

An Area Chart is a chart like a line chart with one difference. For example, the area below the line is filled with color, making it different. An Area Chart in Excel showcases the data, which depicts the time-series relationship.

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Uses of Area Chart

  • It is useful when we have different time-series data and need to showcase the relation of each set to the complete data.
  • There are two axis - X and Y, where information is plotted in an Area Chart. It is primarily used when the trend needs to be shown with magnitude rather than individual data values.
  • The series with fewer values generally hides behind the series with high values. This chart in Excel is of 3 types in both 2-D and 3-D format: Area Chart, Stacked Chart, and 100% Stacked Chart. If we want to display a series of different data, 3-D is advisable.

How to Create an Area Chart in Excel?

The Area Chart is very simple and easy to use. Let us understand the working of the Excel area chart with some examples.

Example #1

We have to select one of the graphs shown in the drop-down list. Refer to the below image:

Below are steps for creating an Area Chart in Excel: -

  1. Select the whole data or range for which we have to make the chart:


    Area chart

  2. Then, go to the "Insert" tab and select "Area Chart" like below:


    AREA Chart 1

  3. We have to select one of the graphs shown in the drop-down list. Refer to the below image:


    AREA Chart 2

  4. The excel chart will get populated as shown below:

    AREA Chart 3

    So, these are the necessary steps that we have to follow to create an Area Chart in Excel.

Example #2 - Stacked Area

It is the same as the above one; we have to click on the 2-D stacked area like below:

AREA Chart 4

The above selection creates the below chart:

AREA Chart 5

Here, we can see the relation between the data and the year, the time relationship. The overall trend of the games concerning the year.

Example #3 - 100% Stacked Area

There is the only difference is that all the values show 100% on Y-axis like below:

area chart 6

It helps in establishing a better representation of Product lines.

The only change in the creating a 100% stacked area is to select the last option in 2-D or 3-D like below:

area chart 7

Below is the result:

area chart 8

We can analyze the trends of changes in product bulbs and fan consumption over the years.

Hence, we have seen the above example of the three types of area charts in Excel, which helps us understand more clearly.

It does not show the value-wise in the representation. It shows the trends.

Variants of the Excel Area Chart

One can illustrate this chart in two ways:

  • Data plots that overlap each other
  • Data plots stacked on top of each other

Pros

  • Comparison of the trend: After looking Area Chart in Excel, it gives us a clear understanding of the trend followed by each product.
  • Comparison between small no. of the category: The stacked area is easier to understand than the overlapped. Though it surely takes more effort to read than it takes for a chart with two classes.
  • Comparison between trends and not the values: The overlapped data is also readable and helpful by giving the colors and the appropriate values.

Cons

  • Understanding: For deducing the values or data of the plot, one should read it concerning the previous plot from which we have to compare. Everyone is not used to it.
  • Difficult to analyze: Sometimes, it is challenging to read the data and study to achieve the desired results.

Points to Remember

  • The user must have the basic knowledge of the chart to understand the area chart.
  • One should compare the data with each other concerning time.
  • Basic understanding of the analyzing chart.

Area Chart in Excel Video

 

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This article is a guide to Area Chart in Excel. Here, we discuss its uses and how to create Area Chart in Excel, Excel examples, and downloadable Excel templates. You may also look at these useful functions in Excel: -