How to Shade Area Between Two Lines in a Chart in Excel

To increase the visuality of a data range, you may need to shade the area between two lines of an Excel chart. So, if you are looking for how to shade the area between two lines of the Excel chart, then you have come to the right place. Today, in this article, I’m going to show you how to shade the area between two lines of the Excel chart.
Furthermore, for conducting the session, I will use Microsoft 365 version.

Table of Contents hide

Download Practice Workbook

Step-by-Step Procedures to Shade Area Between Two Lines in a Chart in Excel

Step 1: Basic Required Calculation by Using Some Simple Formulas

Step 2: Use of Context Menu Bar to Add More Lines in a Chart in Excel

Step 3: Utilizing Change Chart Type Feature to Shade Area Between Two Lines in a Chart

Practice Section

Conclusion

Download Practice Workbook

You can download the practice workbook from here:

Shading Area Between Two Lines.xlsx

Step-by-Step Procedures to Shade Area Between Two Lines in a Chart in Excel

Here, I will describe how to shade the area between two lines of the Excel chart with detailed steps. In addition, for your better understanding, I’m going to use a sample dataset. Which contains three columns. These columns represent some collected data of a company about the sales price for the month of January and February with respect to some years. The dataset is given below.
Additionally, the two lines chart is given with the dataset.

Step 1: Basic Required Calculation by Using Some Simple Formulas

Here, I will do some simple calculations for shading the area between two lines of an Excel chart.

First, in a new column, you have to write the same Y-values of the 1st line. Here, I have to use the Price (Jan) column.
So, write the following simple formula in the E5 cell.

=C5

Then, press ENTER to get the result.

Then, drag the Fill Handle icon to paste the used formula respectively to the other cells of the column.

Finally, you will see all the values of Price (Jan) in the column named Jan.

At this time, I need to find the difference between the Y-values of the two lines.

Now, write the following formula in the F5 cell.

=D5-C5

Then, press ENTER to get the result.

Finally, drag the Fill Handle icon to paste the used formula respectively to the other cells of the column. And you will see all the price changes.

Step 2: Use of Context Menu Bar to Add More Lines in a Chart in Excel

Now, I will use the Context Menu Bar for adding two more lines to the chart. Furthermore, with the help of these charts, I will shade the area of the previous lines.

Firstly, right-click on the chart.
Secondly, from the Context Menu Bar >> choose Select Data.

Furthermore, you can do it by using the Chart Design tab, where you will find the select data option. Here, without selecting the Chart, the Chart Design tab will not be in your top ribbon.

After that, you will see the following dialog box named Select Data Source.

Now, from the dialog box of Select Data Source, you have to choose the Add feature.

After selecting the Add feature, another dialog box of Edit Series will appear.

Now, you can write down or select the Series name in that dialog box. Here, I have selected the Series name as E4 cell.
Then, you have to include the Series values. Here, I have used the range E5:E9.
Finally, you need to press OK.

Subsequently, the previous dialog box of Select Data Source will appear.

Again, select Add series.

So, the previous dialog box of Edit Series will appear.

Here, I have selected the Series name as F4 cell.
After that, you have to include the Series values. Here, I have used the range F5:F9.
Lastly, you need to press OK.

After this, press OK on the Select Data Source box.

As a result, you will see the following lines.

Step 3: Utilizing Change Chart Type Feature to Shade Area Between Two Lines in a Chart

This is the final step. Here, I will shade the area by changing the Chart Type.

Firstly, right-click on the chart.
Secondly, from the Context Menu Bar >> choose Change Chart Type.

At this time, a new window named Change Chart Type will appear.

Firstly, from the All Charts >> go to the Combo chart >> select Custom Combination. A Combo chart is not a unique type of chart. Here, Combo comes from the word “Combination”. So, a Combo chart means the combination of two or more charts.
Secondly, change the Jan, and Price Change chart type into the Stacked Area chart.
Thirdly, press OK.

As a result, you will see the colored chart below.

Now, double-click on the line of Jan.

As a result, you will see a new window named Format Data Series at the rightmost corner of the Excel sheet.

Now, from the Series options >> go to the Fill & Line menu.
Then, from the Fill options >> select No fill.

So, you will find the following output.

Here, I have changed the chart title. Also, I have deleted the Jan and Price Change lines.

So, the following is the final result.

Practice Section

Now, you can practice the explained method by yourself.

Conclusion

I hope you found this article helpful. Here, I have described 3 easy steps to shade the area between two lines of an Excel chart. You can visit our website Exceldemy to learn more Excel-related content. Please, drop comments, suggestions, or queries if you have any in the comment section below.