Excel Formula for Creating a Graph with Target Lines

Objective

The goal is to create a graph in Excel where the daily balance is represented as a line, while the minimum and maximum target values are displayed as horizontal lines.

Data Setup

1. Daily Balance Data: Create a table that includes dates in one column and the corresponding daily balances in another column.
2. Target Values: You will need two separate target values: a minimum and a maximum. These can be placed in any cells in your worksheet.

Example Data Structure

Creating the Graph

1. Insert a Line Chart

• Highlight the range of daily balance data.
• Go to the Insert tab, select Charts, and choose Line Chart.

2. Adding Target Lines

To add target lines for minimum and maximum values, follow these steps:

Step 1: Define the Target Lines

Assuming the target minimum is in cell D1 and the target maximum is in E1, you need to create two additional series for the chart:

1. Target Minimum Line:

   • In a new column adjacent to your data, populate it with the minimum target value for each date. For example, if your target minimum is in D1, fill the cells down with =D$1.

2. Target Maximum Line:

   • Similarly, for the maximum target value, fill another new column with =E$1.

3. Excel Formulas

For target lines:

• In F2 (assuming your minimum target value is in D1), input:

  =D$1

• Drag this formula down to fill the cells below, in column F.

• In G2 (for maximum target value, in E1):

  =E$1

• Similarly, drag this down to fill the cells below in column G.

4. Add Series to Chart

• Right-click on the chart, select Select Data.
• Click on Add to introduce a new Series for both the minimum and maximum target lines.
  • For Series Name, select “Target Minimum” and for Series Values, select the range for your minimum target line.
  • Repeat for “Target Maximum”.

5. Formatting the Chart

• After adding the series for target lines, right-click on each series in the chart, select Change Series Chart Type, and choose Line Chart.
• You may want to format the target lines for better visibility (e.g., dashed lines).

Conclusion

By following these steps, you can successfully visualize the daily balance along with the defined minimum and maximum target lines on a single chart in Excel. This approach enhances data interpretation and facilitates better decision-making based on visual insights.

Should additional analytical capabilities be required, consider exploring advanced courses available on the Enterprise DNA Platform.