In this article, you will learn How to Overlay Charts in Excel and hands compare two sets of data in one graph, like actual sales vs target sales results, actual rating vs target rating, etc.

If y'all try to plot Actual vs Target values in course of a Amassed Cavalcade in Excel, it will await like this:

How to Create Overlay Charts in Excel | MyExcelOnline

Even though, it volition become the job done it will exist slow to read and difficult to interpret by the users. Comparing the right of each bar will take time and may be prone to errors.

Whereas, by but changing the format of the Clustered column nosotros tin can convert it to overlay nautical chart. Overlay Chart will help you to interpret the information at a glance.

How to Create Overlay Charts in Excel | MyExcelOnline

This overlay of graphs may seem like a difficult exercise merely it is a very easy process.

Go along reading to learn how to overlay charts in Excel!

In the example below, we have both actual and planned sales amount for each month and you demand to plot it on a graph for easy comparison.

How to Overlay Charts in Excel

Watch How to overlay 2 graphs in Excel on YouTube and give it a thumbs-up!

How to Create Overlay Charts in Excel | MyExcelOnline

Follow the step-by-step tutorial on how to overlay graphs in Excel and download this Excel workbook to practice along:

STEP 1: Select all the cells in the table.

How to Create Overlay Charts in Excel | MyExcelOnline

STEP 2: Get to Insert Tab > In the Charts Group, click on the Clustered Cavalcade Chart icon.

How to Create Overlay Charts in Excel | MyExcelOnline

A clustered column chart will appear next to the data table.

How to Create Overlay Charts in Excel | MyExcelOnline

STEP three: Click on the Plan Value Bars.

How to Create Overlay Charts in Excel | MyExcelOnline

STEP four: Right-click on the bar and select Format Data Series.

How to Create Overlay Charts in Excel | MyExcelOnline

Footstep v: In the Format Data Series dialog box, select Series Overlap every bit 100%.

How to Create Overlay Charts in Excel | MyExcelOnline

STEP v: Nether Fill Tab, Select No Fill.

How to Create Overlay Charts in Excel | MyExcelOnline

STEP 6: Select Solid Line as Border, Nighttime Blue every bit Color, and 2pt as Width.

How to Create Overlay Charts in Excel | MyExcelOnline

Step 7: Right Click Bodily Value Bar and Select Format Data Series.

How to Create Overlay Charts in Excel | MyExcelOnline

STEP viii: Select Solid Fill andCalorie-free Bluish every bit colour.

How to Create Overlay Charts in Excel | MyExcelOnline

STEP 9: Select Gridlines and Press Delete.

How to Create Overlay Charts in Excel | MyExcelOnline

Footstep ten: Select Chart Title and Printing Delete.

How to Create Overlay Charts in Excel | MyExcelOnline

Your Overlay Nautical chart is now ready!

How to Create Overlay Charts in Excel | MyExcelOnline

Conclusion

In summary, this is how to superimpose graphs in Excel:

Get-go, you need to edit your "Plan" graph past clicking on its series and pressing theCTRL+ane shortcut.  And so within the Format box, you lot need to choose:

FILL: NO Fill up
BORDER COLOR: SOLID LINE & DARK
BORDER Mode: 2pt WIDTH

Then y'all need to edit your "Actual" graph past clicking on its series and pressing the CTRL+1 shortcut.  Then within the Format box, you need to choose:

FILL: SOLID FILL & LIGHT COLOR
SERIES OPTIONS: 100% OVERLAPPED
GAP WIDTH: 60%

And so, just by changing the format of the nautical chart y'all can translate the information hands.

HELPFUL RESOURCE:

Make sure to download our FREE PDF on the 333 Excel keyboard Shortcuts here:

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