How to Add a Goal Line in Excel

Adding a goal line in Excel is an essential skill for achieving better data visualization in your spreadsheets. A goal line is a straight line that you can draw on a chart to represent a particular target or a benchmark. Whether you’re tracking sales growth, project timelines, or KPIs, having a goal line can help you monitor your progress and identify areas where improvement is needed.

There are several ways to add a goal line in Excel, depending on the type of chart you’re using and the version of Excel you have. In this blog post, we’ll walk you through some simple steps to add a goal line to your chart in Excel 2016 and later versions. We’ll also help you troubleshoot common issues

Determine the Type of Chart You Have

Before adding a goal line, it’s essential to identify the type of graphical representation in your excel sheet. Each type of chart has its unique way of doing it.

For Column and Bar Charts

For data represented as Columns or Bars, you can use the following steps to add a goal line:

1. Select the chart you want to edit.
2. Click on the + icon that appears at the top right of the chart, then select ‘Chart Elements’ from the list.
3. Select ‘More Options’ the element named ‘Vertical (Value) Axis’.
4. Click on the drop-down arrow next to “Axis Options.”
5. In the Format Axis pane, select the ‘Axis Options’ grouping located in the middle of the panel.
6. Under the ‘Line Ends’ section, adjust the ‘Arrow Style’ drop-down menu to ‘No arrows’ to remove them from your goal line.
7. Under “Line color,” select a color for your goal line from the color picker, and then under “Line Style,” select a dash line or solid line.Either is fine, depending on your preference.
8. Enter a numerical value for your goal line under the ‘Units’ section of the ‘Axis Options’ panel.
9. Finally, toggle the ‘Display Axis’ button to ‘On.’

For Line Charts

If you’re working with a Line Chart, here’s how to add a goal line:

1. Select the chart you want to edit.
2. Click on the chart’s ‘Design’ tab for more options.
3. Select the ‘Add Chart Element’ drop-down and choose ‘Line’ then ‘Horizontal Line.’
4. A value bar will appear on the chart.
5. With the line options displayed, select your line’s line style, transparency/opacity, color, and weight.
6. Select the ‘Value’ dropdown and enter the value for your goal line.

Different Types of Goal Lines to Add

Goal lines can be an essential tool in Excel charts to help you track trends and achieve objectives. Here are three types of goal lines you can add to your charts:

Fixed Goal Line

A fixed goal line represents a specific value that you want to reach in your chart. For clarity, fixed goal lines are horizontal straight lines that your data must reach.

Dynamic Goal Line

Dynamic goal lines change concerning your data range, giving you a flexible solution. This type of goal line is ideal when you’re dealing with dynamic/ volatile values.

Date-Based Goal Line

Date-based goal lines help you set a target or benchmark based on a specific date range on your chart.

Adding a goal line in Excel is a quick and straightforward process that provides a more efficient way of analyzing charts. As an essential tool, you can use it to analyze data changes and improve your chart’s visualization. Whether you’re tracking sales growth, project timelines, or KPIs, adding a goal line can help you monitor progress and identify areas where improvement is needed.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

While adding a goal line is generally straightforward, you may run into some issues along the way. Here are a few tips to help you troubleshoot some common problems:

The goal line isn’t showing on your chart

If you’re having trouble seeing the goal line on your chart, check that the goal line is set to appear.

The goal line is in the wrong position

If the goal line is in the wrong position, double-check that you’ve entered the correct value in the Microsoft Excel ‘Axis Options’ panel. If that doesn’t fix the issue, you can try manually dragging the goal line to the correct position.

The wrong color is used for the goal line

If you’re finding that a color is incorrect, you can change it in the ‘Format Axis’ pane under ‘Line Color.’

Best Practices When Using Goal Lines In Your Excel Charts

Here are a few best practices to keep in mind when working with goal lines in Excel:

Set benchmarks

Setting a benchmark for success can help drive your team to work harder, hit milestones, and close deals quickly. Use a horizontal line to indicate where you’d like to end up on your chart for each metric.

Choose a visible and eye-catching color

Choosing the right color can make a significant difference when adding a goal line in Excel. Ensure the color is visible and eye-catching. Maintain consistency with your brand’s color palette if applicable. Avoid colors that are too light or blend in with your other charts.

Keep the goal line simple

Complicating the goal line by adding more color or line thickness can confuse your target audience. Keep it simple, clean, and easy to understand.

Goal lines in Excel are an excellent tool for monitoring progress and identifying areas where improvement is needed. Adding a goal line is easy, and you can do so in several types of charts. The key is knowing which type of chart you have and choosing the right goal lines to use. Troubleshoot any issues, follow best practices, and create powerful visualizations with your charts and graphs.

FAQs

Here are some frequently asked questions about adding goal lines in Excel:

Can I add a goal line to any type of chart in Excel?

No, the process of adding a goal line may vary depending on the type of chart you are working on. For example, Line Charts require a different process than Column and Bar Charts.

Can I add multiple goal lines on one chart?

Yes, you can add multiple goal lines on one chart. Have the value(s) of the goal line(s) ready, and repeat the steps for adding a goal line, but plug in the new value(s) for each line.

Can I delete a goal line after I’ve added it?

Yes, you can delete a goal line by right-clicking on it and selecting ‘Delete’ or else using the ‘Axis Options’ panel to remove it.

What’s the purpose of setting a goal line?

The goal line serves as a benchmark or target that can help you monitor your progress and see how close or far you are from achieving your goals. It helps you to understand where you are in terms of the performed activities and whether they have met the required threshold.

Is it possible to format the goal line to match my brand’s colors?

Yes, it’s possible to format your goal line by choosing a color from the color picker that matches your brand’s color palette. Ensure it’s visible and eye-catching, and distracting your audience away from the actual data.