S Curve in Excel

S curve in excel is used to visualize a relation of two different variables, how one variable impacts another and how the value of both of the variable changes due to this impact, it is called as S curve because the curve is in S shape, it is used in two types of charts one is line chart and another is scattered chart.

S Curve in Excel (Table of Contents)

• How to Make S Curve?
• Usage of  S Curve?

S Curve in Excel

The S Curve is a curve which is included in two different charts in Microsoft Excel. They are

1. Scatter Chart in Excel
2. Line Chart in Excel

If we are using this type of chart, there should be data i.e., two variables which are used should be matched with the same period of time. This curve can be used to plot the changes in one variable which is related to another variable.

S Curve is a very important curve or tool which can be used in Projects to know the daily progress and to track the previous records of what has happened from day to day. By seeing the curve, the complete inferences can be made from them, like how much profit or sales are drawn over a period, what is the starting point for the first time, progress from year to year by comparing with other years. The main thing is future inferences can also be drawn from these charts.

The Excel S Curve is represented in the below screenshot.

How to Make S Curve in Excel?

Below are the examples of the S Curve in Excel.

Example #1

In the above example, there is a slight S curve in the graph. The curve will be depending on the data we get.

Step 1: Select the data.

Step 2: Now go to insert tab and select a line graph or scatter graph as per the requirement.

The first one is for a Line graph and the second screenshot is to select the scatter plot. There are again 2 D and 3 Dimensional charts present.

The moment we select the chart type the chart will be displayed on the sheet. Now by looking at the graph, we can select the graph as per our requirement.

Step 3: The final graph will be ready now and can be seen on the sheet.

In this graph a slight s curve is present. As the name indicates S curve there is no compulsion that the graph should be completely looking in S shape. There can be a slight curve present in the graph, The shape of the curve will be depending on the data we take.

S Curve Excel Example #2

In this example, we are taking a dual axis graph with an S curve.

Step 1: Select the data.

Step 2: Go to Insert tab, select line graph or scatter plot in 3d or 2d, based on the requirement and the interest. Now click “ok”.

Step 3: In this step, the graph will be ready. If there are 2 data columns to be displayed on one chart, then dual chart can be used.

Step 4: After the chart is prepared, click on the point of the graph which you want to move to the secondary axis. Right, Click, now select format data series option.

Step 5: On the Axis tab, the default option will be the primary axis, now change it to the secondary axis. The job is done. Now the selected data will be set for the secondary axis.

The final step is the dual axis graph. This can be shown in below screenshot.

S Curve Excel Example #3

Step 1: Fill the data correctly in the sheet with all the columns, as shown in the below screenshot.

Step 2: Select the data for which you want to draw the S curve as shown in the below screenshot.

Step 3: Go to Insert Tab select Line graphs and choose the model of Line Graph which you want to use.

The graph looks like as given below:

Select the scatter plot from the insert tab in the same way, as shown below.

The Curve will be shown automatically as shown in the below screenshot after selecting the type of excel chart we want to use.

Usage of S Curve in Excel

• The S curve is a very important Project management tool that can be used in projects by anyone as it is available free of cost.
• It  is mainly used in the data where we have data related to time. Over a period to analyze the data this curve can be used
• In financial data modeling and cash flow also this curve can be very extensively used.
• In the construction of a project and forecasting the model.
• S curve in Excel can also be used for cumulative values.
• The S-curve can also be used as a dual axis curve. i.e., this curve can be used with the combination of any other chart.
• Budget Comparisons can be done by using this Excel S curve.
• The Future predictions i.e., forecasting can also be made from these curves.
• As this Excel S-Curve can be drawn from the scatter plot and Line graph it is more useful for many purposes as mentioned above.

There are some formulas also to calculate the S-curve manually, but the excel has made that very easy so that it can be done in no time. The manual method can be done taking the X axis and Y axis points from the plot.

Things to Remember

• To draw this S curve in excel the main point to be remembered is time. There should be a time period in one axis so that something can be compared over a period of time very easily with this curve.

Recommended Articles

This has been a guide to S-Curve in Excel. Here we discuss how to make S-Curve Pattern in Excel using two different charts 1) Line chart, 2) Scatter Chart along with practical examples and downloadable excel template. You may learn more about excel from the following articles –

• Combo Chart in Excel
• Different Types of Line Chart with Examples
• Project Management Template in Excel
• Chart Wizard Excel
• Data Model in Excel
• Create Combination Charts in Excel
• Create Doughnut Chart in Excel
• Create Gauge Chart in Excel
• Create Pivot Chart in Excel