How To Format an Excel Chart in Excel

Excel Chart Formatting Guide

Selection of Chart Type

Choose chart types based on the data and analysis task. Use bar charts over pie charts for comparisons, and horizontal charts for time series. Avoid pseudo-3D charts for clarity.

Design Principles & Color Usage

Embrace familiar, consistent chart design aligned with IBCS rules. Utilize strategic color schemes with soft and sparingly used saturated colors. Mute unnecessary elements.

Chart Scale & Labeling

Start the y-axis at zero to ensure scale accuracy. Label critical data points only to enhance trend visibility. Refrain from labeling each data point to prevent clutter.

Chart Tools & Customization

Use the Format task pane for full control over element customization. Change series colors, adjust titles, axes, legends, and apply data labels effectively.

Data Presentation Techniques

Employ small multiples for comparable datasets. Simplify presentation by cutting clutter and use top N features to display crucial data points concisely.

Interactivity & Contextualization

Provide context through calculated totals and annotations for data spikes or dips. Create interactive dashboards with PivotTables and hyperlinks for navigation.

Scaling & Axes Management

Customize chart scaling by setting appropriate axis bounds and units. Modify tick marks and gridlines for better readability and precision.

Utilize Excel Customization Tools

Exploit Excel's customization features: swap axes, format data points, use add-ins for additional options. Avoid Excel's default settings for a tailored appearance.

Excel vs Sourcetable: Streamlined Data Management and Analysis

Excel, a robust spreadsheet tool by Microsoft, is the go-to for data analysis, budgeting, and data manipulation. However, Sourcetable emerges as a specialized tool that simplifies these tasks by syncing with over 100 applications, allowing users to access and query data through a familiar spreadsheet-like interface. Excel's traditional features, while versatile, lack the seamless integration offered by Sourcetable.

Sourcetable enhances the data management experience with its AI copilot, providing intuitive assistance for formula creation and template generation. Unlike Excel, which requires user expertise for complex tasks, Sourcetable's AI copilot makes advanced data manipulation accessible through conversational chat, streamlining the workflow without the need for extensive troubleshooting.

While Excel can be extended with add-ons and macros for additional functionality, Sourcetable offers a more efficient approach to real-time collaboration and reporting. Its ability to build live models that update automatically and sync data at rapid intervals (every 15 minutes on regular and 5 minutes on pro plans) marks a significant advancement over Excel's more traditional sharing and collaboration features.

Sourcetable's cost-effective plans, including a starter plan at $50 per month and a pro plan at $250 per month, provide a 14-day free trial and an accessible entry point for growth teams and business operations looking for a centralized, no-code solution. In contrast, Excel's cost varies based on the version and licensing model, and it requires additional services like OneDrive for real-time collaboration.

In summary, Sourcetable's dedicated focus on efficient data management and reporting, along with its integration capabilities and user-friendly AI assistance, makes it a compelling alternative for modern businesses seeking to streamline their data practices without the complexity of traditional tools like Excel.