How to Make a Line Chart in PowerPoint?

I have spent hundreds of hours using Microsoft PowerPoint to make presentations, and like many, I have dabbled with its chart-making capabilities. But when it came to creating line charts, I realized I had hit a wall! Microsoft PowerPoint lacks crucial features and customization options to make line charts visually appealing and data-rich.

Sure, you can get the basics of the line chart in PowerPoint, but it often feels like painting a masterpiece with only a handful of colors. Some astounding alternatives use advanced AI to generate data-rich line charts with just one click.

Method 1: How to Make a Basic Line Chart in Microsoft PowerPoint?

Before we discuss the alternatives of PowerPoint when it comes to creating line charts, let me help you understand the basics of this curve chart.

A basic line chart in Microsoft PowerPoint outlines growth or decline in data trends and increases the visual interest of your academic or professional presentation. This chart or line plot type makes your presentation appear less complicated and enables better decision-making.

With that said, let's get started on how you can make a basic line chart in MS PowerPoint:

Step 1: Open PowerPoint

Access the Microsoft PowerPoint application of 2016 or any later version and click the "Blank Presentation" option on the screen.

Step 2: Insert a Template

Move your cursor to the PowerPoint application's upper bar and click "Charts." You can find the "Insert Chart" menu from here, which you can use to select the "Line" option.

Next, choose the line chart that best fits your purpose from the options laid out horizontally. In PowerPoint, you can pick from "Stacked Lines" or "100% Stacked Lines", the same two choices with markers, or you can even go for the "3-D Lines" option.

Step 3: Customize the Line Chart

Now is the time to customize the line charts and present the key information to your team members. Microsoft PowerPoint offers several options to simply the process that would enhance the overall effectiveness of your presentation.

You can represent your data using either a single line or multiple lines. The last time I used PowerPoint, I found that a chart with multiple lines allowed me to easily compare different data sets within the same field. This gives a clear and dynamic view of all the information.

Add or Abstract Chart Elements

I can customize my line charts with Microsoft PowerPoint to enhance their visibility. Even though there are limited customization options, you can try to modify certain elements.

Take your cursor to the top navigation bar of your Microsoft PowerPoint application and click "Add Chart Element."

Modify the Style and Color

Microsoft PowerPoint lets me tweak the style and color of the line chat I am working on and customize it to suit my style. Here are two ways to do it:

• In the upper toolbar, find the "Change Color" and "Chart Style" options and add a unique flair to your line chart.

• Click the "Chart Styles" option, shown by a paintbrush icon, on the side of the PowerPoint workspace.

Change the Values and Names of the Data Points

In a line chart, the x-axis (horizontal) typically represents a sequential profession of values. From my experience, I have found that the y-axis (vertical) is better suited to display the values for a chosen metric along that progression, like data or percentage.

From the top toolbar, click the "Edit Data" option and type in the relevant information you want to showcase on the line chart.

You can further click right on the line chart to edit the data right in your connected Excel sheet.

Inside your Excel sheet, you can make changes as per your requirements and they will be directly reflected in your PowerPoint.

Step 4: Instant Line Chart Layouts

Head to the upper navigation bar and select the "Chart Design" option for an instant layout change. Access the pre-configured layouts using the "Quick Layouts" option and update your layout.

Method 2: How to Make a Professional Line Chart in PowerPoint?

A professional line chart in PowerPoint provides precision when illustrating complex data dynamics and interpreting relationships between multiple data sets. If you are like me who is constantly being asked to create more professional line charts, then you can follow these steps:

Step 1: Select Line Chart

To protect your data effectively, select the suitable line chart from the "Insert Chart" option.

Step 2: Add Relevant Data

Follow the application's quick prompt and enter your relevant data in an Excel sheet open on the screen.

Step 3: Name The Axes

Right-click on the "axes" and give a suitable name to your axis, and do the same for the "Chart Title" to assign an appropriate name.

Step 4: Highlight Key Data Points

Click on any of the series lines on the plot to access the "Format Data Series" and highlight the key data points.

Step 5: Adjust Parameters

Right-click on any axes to open the "Format Axis" menu, where you can adjust various parameters and configure their properties.

Step 6: Add Color & Effects

Right-click on the graph to access the "Format Plot Area" and add color and effects to the chart.

Step 7: Highlight Key Categories

Adjust the chart style and color to personalize the line chart. I always choose a color theme that highlights the key categories effectively.

Step 8: Format Background Option

Click on the blank space and open the "Format Background Option" to modify the background of your line chart and make it graphically aesthetic.

Method 3: How to Make a Visually Appealing and Effective Line Chart

Following some of the best practices when providing details through your line charts is important. Several tips can be helpful and as per my experience, I have found that choosing the right chart type helps highlight patterns. Some important tips are:

• Avoid adding too many lines to keep the chart readable and less complex.
• When comparing multiple data sets, I use two y-axes to get more visual clarity.
• Try removing unnecessary elements to reduce clutter.
• You can even use vibrant colors to highlight key data.
• Try adding subtle 3-D elements to make important data stand out without overwhelming your target audience.

Easily Make a Better Line Chart with Edraw. AI

Now that you know how PowerPoint handles line charts, let me introduce a more effective alternative - Edraw.AI. This free visual tool offers AI-backed features and templates, which allow one-click automatic generation of technical diagrams.

Creating a line chart in Edraw.AI is a quick and fun activity that one can perform without having any tech expertise.

Step 1:

Head to Edraw.Ai and explore the diagrams you can make using artificial intelligence.

Step 2:

For a better experience, sign up using your Wondershare or social media accounts.

Step 3:

Select "New Diagram" to access different customization options.

Step 4:

From the left bar, click "Graphs" and scroll down to find "Line Charts."

Step 5:

Click on a line chart to add the default one to your AI-backed canvas and customize it.

Create a Line Chart with a Template

You can further use Edraw.AI's built-in templates to quickly create line charts:

Step 1:

In the top search bar, type "line chart".

Step 2:

You can browse the search results for the line chart templates.

Step 3:

If the layout suits my needs, click "Create with Template".

Step 4:

All the content of the AI template will be imported into the new canvas window from where you can easily customize it.

Export Line Chart to PowerPoint

Unlike other tools, exporting your line chart in Edraw.AI in different formats is pretty straightforward:

Step 1:

Click "Export" in the top-right corner of the canvas.

Step 2:

Choose Image or PPTX as your desired export format.

Step 3:

Make final adjustments to your line chart file in the pop-up window.

Step 4:

Click "Export" to save the file offline to your system.

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