Right-click the series line for the Actual column.
To add a trendline, you follow these steps: You can see that the thick line is not quite above the progress line. The top chart in Figure 3.35 shows the chart before the trendline is complete. The actual line is formatted as a thick line. The trendline is formatted as a lighter gray. Column D is labeled Actual this is where I record the daily progress toward the goal.įigure 3.35 In the top chart, the actual line is running behind the trendline, but it seems close. In this particular month, I am assuming that I would write an equal number of pages six days per week. Column C shows the writing progress I should make each day. Column B contains 125 for each data point Excel therefore draws a straight line across the chart, showing the goal at the end of the project. In Figure 3.35, column A contains the days of the month. The easiest way to add a trendline is to build a data series that includes all the days that the project is scheduled to run. I regularly use these charts to track my progress toward a goal or trendline. You can either ask Excel to extrapolate the trendline into the future, or, if your data series contains blank points that represent the future, Excel can automatically add the trendline. Excel can draw a straight line that fits the existing data points. For just such situations, Excel offers a trendline feature. Sometimes, however, you might want to allow Excel to make a prediction based on past results. In the previous example, an analyst had created a forecast for the next two quarters. Learn More Buy Adding an Automatic Trendline to a Chart
Charts and Graphs for Microsoft Office Excel 2007