Advanced Chart Types in PowerPoint and Excel
3 minutes read
In today’s data-driven world, effectively communicating complex information requires summarizing data in clear, easy-to-understand charts.
While Microsoft Office offers a variety of chart options in Excel and PowerPoint, there are many more chart types available beyond the default selections. Choosing the right chart can significantly enhance your data visualization, helping you stand out and communicate ideas more effectively.
This guide provides a comprehensive overview of various chart types you can create in PowerPoint and Excel, including both default and advanced options.
Default vs. Advanced Chart Types
Default Chart Types in PowerPoint and Excel
Microsoft PowerPoint and Excel offer 17 default chart types:
- Column charts
- Line charts
- Pie charts
- Bar charts
- Area charts
- XY scatter plots
- Maps
- Stocks
- Surface charts
- Radars
- Treemaps
- Sunburst
- Histograms
- Box & whiskers
- Waterfall charts
- Funnels
- Combos
However, these default options represent only a fraction of the chart types you can create in these applications.
Creating Advanced Charts in PowerPoint and Excel
There are dozens of additional chart types you can create in Microsoft Excel and PowerPoint using various techniques and workarounds. Some popular methods include:
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Using invisible series: This technique allows you to create charts like the dumbbell chart shown below.
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Leveraging XY scatter plots: Many advanced charts consist of data points with X and Y coordinates that you can calculate using formulas and plot. For example, the column chart with a trend arrow shown below uses this technique.
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Utilizing error bars: The size of error bars can be defined using data from your spreadsheet, allowing for creative chart designs like the one shown below.
Inserting Advanced Charts with the Power-user Add-in
For those who prefer a more straightforward approach, the Power-user add-in for PowerPoint and Excel offers a library of advanced chart templates. This tool can integrate your corporate colors and fonts, making it easy to create charts that match your brand.
Advanced Chart Types You Can Create in PowerPoint and Excel
We’ve identified at least 40 different types of charts that can be created in PowerPoint and Excel. The infographic below summarizes these options and can help you quickly find the right chart for your specific use case.
Some of these powerful chart types include:
- Mekko charts for analyzing two dimensions of data
- Sankey charts for visualizing flows
- Slope charts or Dumbbell charts to quickly see how values change between two dates
- Diverging stacked bars for CSAT analysis
- Range charts for pricing comparisons
- Bullet charts for tracking deviation from budget
- Panel charts to compare the performance of multiple products or countries
- Waffle charts for part-to-whole comparisons
How to Choose the Right Chart Type to Visualize Your Data
Understanding Your Data
Before creating charts, it’s crucial to invest time in understanding your data:
- Identify what you need to show and what people expect from your analysis.
- Look beyond surface-level observations to uncover the “why” behind the data.
- Choose the right KPIs and metrics.
- Consider how to segment your analysis to provide actionable insights.
Choosing the Right Type of Chart
To select the most effective way to visualize your data, ask yourself:
- Do I need to make a static comparison?
- Do I want to see how data evolves over time?
- Do I want to see the composition of my data in sub-categories?
- Do I want to look at the distribution?
Use the infographic provided earlier to explore options for your specific needs. Consider factors such as the number of series and categories you have, as well as other specificities, to choose the chart that will work best for your data.
By carefully selecting the right chart type, you can create powerful visualizations that effectively communicate your data and insights to your audience.