1. Formatting your line chart
Now that you have created a line chart, let's look at the formatting options we can use to jazz it up a bit.
2. Chart and axis titles
Your line chart is supposed to show a picture, so you need the information you are plotting to be clear.
Your chart should have a descriptive title, which you can change in the Chart editor by clicking Customize, then chart and axis titles. You can also add a sub-title or add and change your vertical and horizontal axis titles here.
3. Fonts and gridlines
Make sure your Title and axis fonts are clear and professional. You can select Treat labels as text on your horizontal axis to put them on a slant. A 30-degree slant is normally sufficient. Remember, you can also manipulate the maximum and minimum values of your charts.
As with column charts, be aware of your gridlines. Sometimes they make your chart too busy and sometimes they are useful. Play around with the options and see what works.
4. Legend Placement
Three other important options that you need to consider are the legend, line style, and data points.
You can easily change your legend placement. Go to the Chart editor, then customize then Legend and select the position you require.
5. Line Style
There are also a variety of line styles to select from, and you can change the type, color, and thickness. You can also change the vertical axis for each series from left to right.
6. Data points
You can format your data points in the same spot. Data points make your charts easier to read. Make sure they are not so large as to cloud your chart. The default point shape is a circle, but this is also something you can change.
7. Error bars, data labels, and trendlines
Other options for your chart include Error bars, trendlines, and data labels.
Error bars are used to convey uncertainty, while trendlines show the general direction of the data. Data labels can be useful, but can also crowd a chart. There may be a lot on your dashboard, so don't make it too busy, as the chart may be pretty small.
8. Changing the plotted range
You can easily edit the range that is plotted, exactly as you did with the column chart. Click the three dots to the right of the x-axis and select edit or remove to remove a series. Add an additional series to your chart by using the Add Series option. You can also add data labels at this point.
9. Simultaneous updates
Remember that your chart feeds from the data, so as soon as you Edit or remove a series, or modify the data that is selected, your chart will update accordingly.
Keep in mind, the title of your chart will need to be updated manually.
10. Your turn now!
Using the information you have just learned, let's practice jazzing up your chart to make it clear and succinct.