Set Up a Line Chart

Set Up a Line Chart

Back to Create a New Chart

Line Charts are great for tracking changes in a Y series over time. A line chart requires an x-axis (usually date/time or category) and at least one y-axis data series.

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Multiple y-axis series will add additional lines on non-stacked charts. Stacked charts add each series to the sum of the previous series. Spline & Stepped Line alter the drawing style of the line.

If you haven’t yet, select a data source.

As you’re building your chart, use the Preview button in the upper right to check your work in progress.

Chart Options (Choose X & Y Axis)

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X (Category) Axis

Select Category Axis – Select which column should display along the bottom x-axis. The dropdown list will auto-populate with columns from your data source.

Enable Data Grouping – Group x values of the same category. If off, each individual data point will be a point on the line graph.

Y (Value) Axis

Series – Specify what value you would like to compare between the categories. Add additional y-axis series to compare if desired.

Aggregate – If you have enabled grouping on the x-axis, aggregate the y-axis data you are comparing (sum, first, min, max, average, count). By default, chart plus compares the sum of y values.

Data Label – Toggle data labels for each Y series.

Secondary Axis – If using more than one Y series, you can add a secondary axis on the right side of the chart. The secondary axis will automatically adjust it’s range to include the maximum Y value from the series mapped to it.

If using a stacked line and a secondary axis, the secondary axis will reflect the stacked line value.

Legend Title – Customize legend titles for each y-axis series.

X-Axis Configuration

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Data Type Settings – Appears if you select a Date/Time value for the x-axis. Configure how date categories display (date or time) and the scale of the x-axis. “Automatic” sizes the x-axis according to the scale of your dataset.

Appearance

X Axis Title – Toggle title display at top of chart and customize title text.

X-Axis Labels – Toggle x-axis labels & their display angle.

Gridlines & Tickmarks – Customize which gridlines and tickmarks display along the x-axis.

Display X-Axis Line – Toggle the x-axis line that runs along the bottom of the chart between the bars and x-axis labels.

Category X-Axis labels – Customize category names that appear on the x-axis.

Sort

Sort Axis – Specify an ascending or descending sort order for how categories display on the x-axis.

Y-Axis Configuration

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Secondary Axis – If you have a secondary y-axis, use the buttons at the top of the Y-Axis tab to switch between axis settings.

Data Type Settings

Data Type – Select a data type for y values (general, number, currency, date, time, percentage, scientific).

Format – Configure details on how Y values will display on the axis and labels. Date types also require you to select the date scale for the y-axis.

Appearance

Y-Axis Title – Toggle title display at top of chart and customize title text.

Y-Axis Labels – Toggle y-axis labels and their display angle & position.

Gridlines & Tickmarks – Customize which gridlines and tickmarks display along the y-axis.

Y-Axis Range – Configure the minimum and maximum values visible on the y-axis. These default to “auto” and adjust to the range of your dataset. Not available for “Date” & “Time” data types or 100% line column.

Display Y-Axis Line – Toggle the y-axis line between the y-axis scale and the chart canvas.

Next: Configure the Chart Display Settings