How to Make Smooth Area Chart in Excel (with Easy Steps)

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Excel is a very useful tool for plotting different kinds of charts. Excel offers various options to format the plotted charts to make it look more attractive. While making a smooth line chart is an easy task in Excel, one might find it difficult to make a smooth area chart in Excel. In this article, we will walk you through five steps to make a smooth area chart in Excel.


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Step-by-Step Procedures to Make Smooth Area Chart in Excel

In this article, we will demonstrate five easy steps to make a smooth area chart in Excel. We will use the following dataset for this purpose.

smooth area chart excel


Step 1: Insert an Area Chart

In the first step, we will insert an area chart using the dataset.

  • First of all, select all the data from the Months and Sales columns.
  • Then click on the Insert tab and go to,

Insert → Charts → Insert Line or Area Chart → Area

Insert an Area Chart to Make Smooth Area Chart in Excel

  • Hence, the area chart will be created.

Insert an Area Chart to Make Smooth Area Chart in Excel

Read More: Excel Area Chart Data Label & Position


Step 2: Duplicate Data Series

In this step, we need to duplicate the data series to add a new chart to make a smooth area chart in Excel.

  • First, select both Months and Sales columns.
  • Then press the right button of your mouse and click on Copy.

  • After that, paste it to your preferred cells.

Duplicate the Data Series to Make Smooth Area Chart in Excel


Step 3: Add New Chart

Now we will add a new chart using the duplicated data series.

  • First, right-click on the chart and click on Select Data.

Add New Chart to Make Smooth Area Chart in Excel

  • As a result, the Select Data Source dialog box will appear.
  • From the dialog box, select Add.

  • The Edit Series pop-up will open. Click on the arrow under the Series name.

  • Then select the Months column and click on the arrow.

  • Similarly, click on the arrow under Series values.

  • Then select the Sales column and click on the arrow.

Add New Chart to Make Smooth Area Chart in Excel

  • After that, press Enter twice to get the new chart added to the old one.

Add New Chart to Make Smooth Area Chart in Excel

Read More: How to Create Stacked Area Chart with Negative Values in Excel


Step 4: Change Chart Type

In this step, we will change the type of the newly added chart.

  • First of all, right-click on the chart and select Change Series Chart Type.

  • The Change Chart Type window will pop up.
  • In the window, go to All Charts tab and click on Combo.
  • Then choose the new chart under Series Name.
  • Next, change the chart type to Line from Area.
  • After that, click OK.

Change Chart Type to Make Smooth Area Chart in Excel

Read More: How to Create Polar Area Chart in Excel (2 Easy Ways)


Step 5: Check Smoothed Line Option

In the final step, we will smooth out the line option to make a smooth area chart in Excel.

  • First, right-click on the Line chart and click on Format Data Series.

  • As a result, the Format Data Series panel will open on the right side of the Excel sheet.
  • In the panel, click on Fill & Line from the Series Options.
  • Then check the box of the Smoothed line option.
  • Finally, change the color to the same as the Area chart.

Check Smoothed Line Option to Make Smooth Area Chart in Excel

  • Now, if you look at the chart, you might see small gaps between the Line and Area chart.

Check Smoothed Line Option to Make Smooth Area Chart in Excel

  • To get rid of the small gaps, increase the Width of both the Line and Area chart.

  • Consequently, you will have your desired smooth area chart in your Excel sheet.

smooth area chart excel

Notes
  • Create both the Line and Area chart in the same color.
  • If there are small gaps between the Line and Area chart, increase the width of both charts.

Read More: Stacked Area Chart with Line in Excel (2 Practical Examples)


Conclusion

Thanks for making it this far. I hope you find this article useful. Now you know five easy steps to make a smooth area chart in Excel. Please let us know if you have any further queries, and feel free to give us any recommendations in the comment section below.


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Alif Bin Hussain

Alif Bin Hussain

Hello! Welcome to my Profile. Currently, I am working and doing research on Microsoft Excel and here I will be posting articles related to this. My last educational degree was BSc and my program was Civil Engineering from Bangladesh University of Engineering & Technology (BUET). I am a fresh graduate with a great interest in research and development. I do my best to acquire new information and try to find out the most efficient solutions.

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