Charts are one of the most important parts of Microsoft Excel. It helps us to present data in an easy to understand way. In Excel, we have different types of charts and graphs to present data in different ways.
There are even a lot of advanced charts and graphs that we can create in Excel by making small modifications in the default chart. Most Excel users don’t explore much of charting techniques. But you can learn how to make all those charts without trying too hard.(Read more : create a Pivot Table)
The benefit of using advanced charts in Excel is that they focus on a specific type of data and make it easier to understand.
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What is an advanced excel chart or graph?
An enhanced Excel chart or graph is a chart that has a specific use or presents data in a specific way for use. In Excel, an advanced chart can be created using basic charts already in Excel, can be made from scratch, or using pre-made templates and plug-ins.
10 ADVANCED Excel Charts and Graphs
Below is a list of advanced charts and graphs covered in this tutorial.
1. Step chart
The step chart is an extended version of the line chart. It will become perfect to use when you want to display changes that have occurred in irregular intervals.
Unlike a line chart, it does not connect data points by a short distance line. It uses vertical and horizontal lines to connect data points.
- Step chart
Benefits of Step Graph
- Helps to show the exact time of change.
- Provides real trends of data throughout the period.
- In a line chart it is not possible to show a fixed time period, but in a step chart you can show this.
- Displays the actual number of changes that have occurred over a period of time.
2. Milestone chart
Milestone chart aka timeline chart. This is one of the favorite charts of project managers and makes it simple for them to track project progress.(Read more : compare two columns in Excel)
It is like the time that each phase of the project is recorded with the completion date.
Milestones are tools used in project management to mark specific points along a project’s timeline. These points can signal anchor points such as project start and end dates, the need for external reviews or input checks and budgets, among others. – Wikipedia
- Milestone chart
Benefits of Milestone Charts
- Simple to create and easy to understand.
- You have all the important information in a single chart.
3. Waffle chart
The waffle chart is most likely a square chart. It’s a series of 100 small squares where one square represents 1% of the total value.
I’m sure you’ve seen it in the dashboard and the article graphics. And, to create it, we need to use conditional formatting.
- Waffle chart
Benefits of Waffle Charts
- Best for goal one point against achievement.
- Easy to create and easy to understand.
4. Tornado chart
When it comes to displaying a comparison of different things each tornado chart can be helpful to you.(Read more : Split delimiters into rows)
It looks like a real tornado when the big items are at the top and the lowest items are at the bottom. And, each item has an opposite item to compare.
- Tornado chart
Benefits of Tornado Chart
- Easily compare items for two different time periods.
- Easy to know the top and bottom items.
5. Gantt chart
The Gantt chart is one of the most useful charts for project managers. It can help track the progress of the project. Unlike milestone charts, Gantt charts can track completed dates, delayed dates, pending dates, total days, etc.
In a nutshell, it’s a complete chart to track your projects with all the important details people ask for.
- Gantt chart
Benefits of Gantt Charts
- A complete chart with all the details for tracking a project.
- Makes it easy to make decisions and can review your project plan regularly to identify conflicts or other issues.
6. Bullet chart
Bullet chart is like column chart but instead of multiple columns here we have only one. Helps us to track goals a single point against achievement.
- Bullet chart
There are three main components of a Bullet chart:
- A target marker to represent the target.
- An achievement bar to represent actual value.
- A comparison range for color themes.
Benefits of Bullet Charts
- Best chart to track single point goal vs achievement.
- Serves as a replacement for dashboard gauges and gauges.
7. Thermometer chart
A thermometer chart is another useful chart for tracking a one-point goal versus an achievement, and can help present data in an easy-to-understand manner.(Read more : Code to count views)
It looks like a thermometer where the entire graph represents the goal and the fill is the achievement. The filled part will increase as the achievement increases.
- Thermometer chart
Benefits of Thermometer Charts
- Simple to understand and easy to create.
- Is a perfect chart to use in the dashboard.
8. Speed-o-Meter chart
You can find in your daily life [Just look at the SPEED in your motorcycle or car]. It is also known as Gauge chart.
- Speed-o-Meter chart
Benefits of Speed-o-Meter Charts
- Helps you present single point data in your dashboards and KPIs.
- Easy to create and simple to understand for users.
9. Population Pyramid Chart
A population chart is a two-sided bar chart that helps us compare populations of different age groups in terms of sex.
- Population Pyramid Chart
Benefits of Population Pyramid Charts
- While comparing two items, you can easily understand which group is growing.
- Can be used to compare items for two different time periods.
10. Pictogram Diagram
Images are not a separate chart type.
By creating a picture, we can use an image in the chart to make it easier to see. Like using an icon in the chart below to show the number of employees in a company across different age groups.
- Pictogram Diagram
Benefits of Pictograph Charts
- Using an image in the chart makes it more meaningful.
- Help take your charting skills to the next level.
Source: excelchamps.com
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