Comments on: How To Add a Vertical Line to an Excel XY Chart

By: Rob K

Rob K — Wed, 03 Feb 2010 21:56:40 +0000

Thanks so much for this tip. I have several spreadsheets that are updated at least weekly so the graph is very dynamic. This automation was extremely helpful and saves me a lot of time.

By: Bri

Bri — Tue, 29 Dec 2009 18:33:01 +0000

This worked for me the first time really easily. But after that, not so much. Now the point won’t line up with the correct data points. It si automatically going to the first data point. I need to make 27 different graphs but they all need verticle lines. Do I need a new sheet everytime for this to work?

By: derek wu

derek wu — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 17:58:32 +0000

I actually figure it out. This same method doesnt seem to work when your chart is an area chart. Only works if its X-Y scattered. How do I fix it up so that it appears in the area as well?

thanks
derek

By: derek wu

derek wu — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 14:55:31 +0000

When I drag in the vertical line data into the chart and click on OK in the paste special box, all the scatter points jumble into 1 vertical section. I can’t get the line to appear around the points. What am I doing wrong here.?

thanks
derek

By: TOMAS

TOMAS — Wed, 15 Jul 2009 08:35:59 +0000

@Johnn, @Lemlem – Thank you for the positive comment!

@Pelle – I believe that you can choose to show the legend in your options, and then click the data series for the vertical line in the legend and hit delete to get rid of it. Sometimes you have to click the legend twice—the first time will select the entire legend, then the second click to select data series for the vertical line. I’m hoping this works for you.

@Jack – Unfortunately I’m not aware of a specific method to help accomplish what you’re looking to do, but please share any findings you come across in the comments as I would love to see if someone is able to pull off such an effect!

@Andy – Awesome and thank you for the tip!

By: Andy

Andy — Tue, 07 Jul 2009 19:01:24 +0000

Awesome tip! You can also do the same thing with a line graph by adding an extra data source. I have a graph for which I wanted vertical lines to delineate each quarter. I added a second data source and used the Y error bar without having to do any of the “paste special”. The trick here is that I sized the graph exactly. I know it is 16 high, so I can set each error bar (high and low) to 8 and it works. May not work on more fluid charts.

By: Lemlem

Lemlem — Mon, 06 Jul 2009 09:29:52 +0000

Thank you so much.It is very helpful!

By: Jack

Jack — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 20:42:07 +0000

I am trying to establish a horizontal line to the y axis and a verticle line to the x axis that will move with the pointer as I traverse the line graph. This will allow a direct reading of the two points for any position on the graph. any suggestions??

Jack

By: Pelle

Pelle — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 22:48:56 +0000

Tomas,

Thanks for the tip. One problem remains for me, however: I want the legend to show up for my original data-series, but not for the vertical line. Do you how to achieve this?

Thanks,
Pelle

By: Johnn

Johnn — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 01:21:07 +0000

Fantastic. Microsoft should pull their little cotton socks up and put in a vertical line button. Shame on them but glory for you