Soumik Dutta
Excel graphs are a familiar figure to all of us. Every day we use it to show the data pattern change according to our desire. Sometimes, we need to add a vertical dotted line in our graphs to get the attention of our users or authority. In the article, we will demonstrate to you three easy approaches on how to add a vertical dotted line in an Excel graph. If you are curious about it, download our practice workbook and follow us.
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3 Easy Ways to Add a Vertical Dotted Line in Excel Graph
To demonstrate the approaches, we consider a dataset of linear values. We are going to insert a scatter graph for every case. For 6 different values of X, the value of Y is increasing by 5 each time. We will insert a vertical dotted line at the position of X value 3.
1. Utilizing Excel Shapes
In this approach, we will add the dotted line from built-in Excel Shapes. We are going to use the Line shape. The steps of this method are given below:
📌 Steps:
- First of all, select the range of cells B5:C10.
- Now, in the Insert tab, click on the drop-down arrow of the Insert Scatter (X, Y) or Bubble Chart option from the Charts group.
- After that, choose the Scatter with Smooth Lines and Markers from the Scatter section.
- The chart will appear in front of you.
- You can modify the chart according to your desire from the Chart Design and Format ribbons and keep the required elements from the Chart Elements icon. In our chart, we kept the default style.
- Moreover, we add only the Axes and Axis Title elements in our graph.
- Our graph insertion is finished.
- Again, in the Insert tab, click on the drop-down arrow of the Illustration > Shapes option.
- Now, choose the Line shape.
- You will see that your mouse cursor will be changed.
- Then, click close to that point where you want to insert the line. In our case, we add the line at the position of value 3.
- Wild press the Shift button on your keyboard to keep the line straight.
- The line will appear on your graph.
- After that, in the Shape Format tab, click on the drop-down arrow of the Shape Outline option from the Shape Style group.
- Choose any color according to your desire. We choose Orange: Accent 2 color to make them easily distinguishable.
- Again, click on the drop-down arrow of the Shape Outline option and select the Dashes option.
- Next, choose the Round Dot option to convert the line solid from the dotted form.
- You will get the vertical dotted line in your graph.
Thus, we can say that our method worked perfectly, and we are able to add a vertical dotted line in an Excel graph.
Read More: How to Make Line Graph in Excel with 2 Variables (With Quick Steps)
Similar Readings
- How to Make a Line Graph in Excel with Multiple Lines (4 Easy Ways)
- How to Make a Line Graph in Excel with Multiple Variables
- How to Make a Double Line Graph in Excel (3 Easy Ways)
- Draw Target Line in Excel Graph (with Easy Steps)
2. Applying Additional Column Series
In this method, we will create an additional series to add the vertical dotted line in the Excel graph. We have created another data set in the range of cells B14:C16. The dataset contains the X value where we want to insert the vertical line and the upper and lower data limit of the Y value. The procedure is shown below step-by-step:
📌 Steps:
- First, select the range of cells B5:C10.
- Now, in the Insert tab, click on the drop-down arrow of the Insert Scatter (X, Y) or Bubble Chart option from the Charts group.
- After that, choose the Scatter with Smooth Lines and Markers from the Scatter section.
- The chart will appear on your device.
- You can modify the chart according to your desire from the Chart Design and Format ribbons and keep the required elements from the Chart Elements icon. In our chart, we kept the default style.
- Moreover, we add only the Axes and Axis Title elements in our graph.
- Our graph insertion is finished.
- Next, go to the Chart Design tab and click on the Select Data option from the Data group.
- A small dialog box titled Select Data Source will appear.
- After that, click on the Add option to add a series where we add the vertical dotted line.
- As a result, another small dialog box entitled Edit Series will appear.
- Write down a suitable name for this series. We wrote Vertical Dotted Line for our series.
- After that, set the Series X Values as ‘Dataset!$B$14:$B$15’ and Series Y Values as ‘Dataset!$C$14:$C$15′.
- At last, click OK.
- Similarly, click OK to close the Select Data Source dialog box.
- You will see the second series on our existing chart.
- Now, double-click on the line.
- As a result, a side window entitled Format Data Point will appear.
- Then, in the Fill & Line tab and change the Dash Type from Solid to Round Dot.
- Moreover, modify the Width and Color according to your desire to ensure the line is easily distinguishable.
- You will get the vertical dotted line in your graph at your desired location.
Finally, we can say that our method worked successfully, and we are able to add a vertical dotted line in an Excel graph.
Read More: How to Make a Single Line Graph in Excel (A Short Way)
3. Modifying Error Bar
In the following process, we are going to modify the Error Bars of the Excel Chart to add a vertical dotted line. We will only change the feature of the Vertical Error Bar. The steps of this procedure are given below:
📌 Steps:
- At first, select the range of cells B5:C10.
- Now, in the Insert tab, click on the drop-down arrow of the Insert Scatter (X, Y) or Bubble Chart option from the Charts group.
- Then, choose the Scatter with Smooth Lines and Markers from the Scatter section.
- You will get the chart in your Excel worksheet.
- If you need, you can modify the chart according to your desire from the Chart Design and Format ribbons and keep the required elements from the Chart Elements icon. In our chart, we kept the default style.
- In addition, we add only the Axes and Axis Title elements in our graph for the convenience of our users.
- Our graph insertion task is completed.
- Now, go to the Chart Design tab and click on the Select Data option from the Data group.
- As a result, a small dialog box called Select Data Source will appear.
- Then, click on the Add option to add a series where we add the vertical dotted line.
- Another small dialog box entitled Edit Series will appear.
- Write down a suitable name for this series. We wrote Vertical Dotted Line for our series.
- After that, set the Series X Values as ”Error Bars’!$B$8′ and Series Y Values as ‘‘Error Bars’!$C$8′.
- Finally, click OK.
- Again, click OK to close the Select Data Source dialog box.
- You will see a dot of a different color on the existing line.
- Now, select that dot spot and click on the Chart Element icon.
- Then, choose the Error Bars > More Options option.
- As a result, a side window called Format Error Bars will appear.
- If the window shows the option for the Horizontal Error Bar, then simply press Detele to delete the horizontal error bar and click the vertical bar.
- Otherwise, click the horizontal bar and press Delete.
- Now, you will get the option to modify the Vertical Error Bar.
- In the End Style section, choose the No Cap option.
- After that, in the Error Amount section, change the option from Fixed Value to Percentage.
- Set the option value 5% to 100%.
- Next, go to the Fill & Line tab and change the Dash Type from Solid to Round Dot.
- Besides it, modify the Width and Color according to your desire to ensure the line is easily distinguishable.
- You will get the vertical dotted line in your graph.
In the end, we can say that our method worked precisely, and we are able to add a vertical dotted line in an Excel graph.
Read More: How to Draw a Horizontal Line in Excel Graph (2 Easy Ways)
Conclusion
That’s the end of this article. I hope that this article will be helpful for you and you will be able to add a vertical dotted line in an Excel graph. Please share any further queries or recommendations with us in the comments section below if you have any further questions or recommendations.
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