How to Add Data Points to an Existing Graph in Excel

The dataset showcases the Population Growth in USA.

how to add data points to an existing graph in excel

Using the above dataset, you’ll get the following graph.

Scatter plot

To add data points to the existing graph:

Method 1– Inserting a Single Data Point

Insert a Scatter Plot.

Steps:

Select C5:C12 >> go to the Insert tab >> choose Scatter.

Select the chart >> Click Select Data.

In the Select Data Source window, click Edit.

Enter the Series name, here “Population Growth of USA”.
Select the Series X and Y values: B4:B12 and C4:C12.

Add the predicted “Population of 372 million” for the “Year 2030” as highlighted below.

Select the chart >> drag the Resizing Handle to add the new data point.

Format the chart using the Chart Elements option.

Check Axes and Axis Title to name the axes. Here, “Year” and “Population in Millions”.
Check Chart Title: “Population Growth of USA”.
Uncheck Gridlines.

This is the output.

Method 2 – Using Resizing Handles

The dataset showcases the Breakdown of Marketing Expense and Revenue.

Steps:

Select C5:C13 >> go to the Insert tab >> select Lines with Markers.

Click to select the chart >> drag the Resizing Handles to add the x-axis values.

Drag the Resizing Handles to add a new series. Here, “Revenue”.

Format the chart in Chart Elements.

Check Axes and Axis Title to name the axes. Here, “Month” and “US Dollar”.
Add the Chart Title: “Breakdown of Marketing Expense and Revenue”.
Check Legend to show the “Marketing Expense” and “Revenue” series.
Uncheck Gridlines.

This is the output.

Method 3: Utilizing the Select Data Option

Consider the dataset below: Stock Price of Companies.

Steps:

Select C5:C13 >> go to the Insert tab >> click Insert Column or Bar Chart.

Select the chart >> Click Select Data.

Click Edit to add the x-axis labels.

Select B5:B13 as the Axis label range >> click OK.

Click Edit to enter a name for the data series.

Choose C4 (“Stock Price in 2020”) as Series name >> Click OK.

Select Add to add the data points for a new series.

Select D4 (“Stock Price in 2021”) in Series name >> choose D5:D13 as Series Values.

Format the chart as shown in the previous method to see the output.

How to Get Data Points from a Graph in Excel

Use a VBA Code.

Steps:

Select the chart >> go to the Developer tab >> click Visual Basic.

The Visual Basic Editor window is displayed.

Go to the Insert tab >> select Module.

Enter the code.

Sub Extract_Chart_Data()

    Dim x_axis_num As Integer
    Dim x_axis_series As Object
    
    On Error Resume Next
    x_axis_count = 2
    x_axis_num = UBound(Application.ActiveChart.SeriesCollection(1).Values)
    Application.Worksheets("Get_Chart_Data").Cells(1, 1) = "X Values"
    
    With Application.Worksheets("Get_Chart_Data")
        .Range(.Cells(2, 1), _
        .Cells(x_axis_num + 1, 1)) = _
        Application.Transpose(ActiveChart.SeriesCollection(1).XValues)
    End With
    
    For Each x_axis_series In Application.ActiveChart.SeriesCollection
        Application.Worksheets("Get_Chart_Data").Cells(1, x_axis_count) = x_axis_series.Name
        With Application.Worksheets("Get_Chart_Data")
            .Range(.Cells(2, x_axis_count), _
            .Cells(x_axis_num + 1, x_axis_count)) = _
            Application.WorksheetFunction.Transpose(x_axis_series.Values)
        End With
        x_axis_count = x_axis_count + 1
    Next
    
End Sub

Code Breakdown:

the sub-routine is named: Extract_Chart_Data().
the variables x_axis_num and x_axis_series are defined as Integer and Object data types.
the x_axis_count is set to 2 and the UBound function is applied to get the largest value.
the Worksheet object defines the worksheet name, here “Get_Chart_Data” and returns the x-axis values.
the With statement loops through all the x-axis values and returns the values in the worksheet.
the For Loop and the With statement iterate and extract the y-axis values and the series names.
returns them in the adjacent cells.