How to Draw a Horizontal Line in an Excel Graph (2 Easy Ways)

The following dataset has the monthly sales amount and forecasted sales. Using the forecasted sales, we will draw a horizontal line.

Method 1 – Drawing a Horizontal Line in the Graph Using the Recommended Charts Option in Excel

Steps:

• Select the range B4:D11.
• Go to the Insert tab >> select Recommended Charts.

• Insert Chart box will appear.
• Go to All Charts >> Select Combo.

• Excel will see the options available for charts. Since we will draw the horizontal line with forecasted sales, we will keep the Chart Type for Forecasted Sales as the Line.
• Click OK.

• Excel will draw a horizontal line.

Read More: How to Draw Target Line in Excel Graph

Method 2 – Adding a Horizontal Line to an Existing Excel Graph

Look at the image below. Here, we have a graph of actual sales and the corresponding months. I will add a horizontal line with the forecasted sales to this existing graph.

Steps:

• Select the chart.
• Right-click to open the menu.
• Select Select Data.

• The Data Source box will appear.
• Select Add.

• The Edit Series box will pop up. Give the new series a name and put the values. In my case, the name is Forecasted Sales, and the values are D5:D11.
• Click OK.

• Excel will add a new series.
• Click OK.

• You will see a new cluster of columns. These columns represent the forecasted sales. Our task is to convert these columns to a horizontal line.

• Select the new columns.
• Right-click to open the menu.
• Select Change Series Chart Type.

• Change Chart Type window will appear.
• Select the type of Forecasted Sales as Line from the drop-down.
• Click OK.

• Excel will convert the columns into a horizontal line.

Read More: How to Add a Marker Line in Excel Graph

Things to Remember

• You can add horizontal lines to other types of graphs and charts, too.

Download the Practice Workbook

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