Excel can suggest the chart that suits your data, so you don’t have to guess between column, line or scatter. This guide follows Microsoft’s “Create a chart from start to finish” page.
Create a chart
- Select the data you want to chart.
- Go to Insert > Recommended Charts.
- On the Recommended Charts tab, select a chart to preview it.
- Pick the one you want and select OK.
Shortcuts and alternatives
- Fastest: select your data and press Alt + F1 to skip the dialog. Microsoft warns this may not produce the best chart.
- Nothing fits: open the All Charts tab to see every chart type.
Add a trendline
- Select the chart.
- Go to Chart Design > Add Chart Element.
- Select Trendline and choose a type: Linear, Exponential, Linear Forecast or Moving Average.
Tips for better results
- Put headers in the first row and keep the range free of blank rows so Excel reads it correctly.
- Preview several recommended charts before committing; the first suggestion isn’t always the clearest.
- Use a trendline on time-based data, where direction matters more than individual points.
What this Microsoft page doesn’t cover
The source page doesn’t explain individual chart types or when to use each, the Chart Format tab, chart titles, axes and legends, Quick Layout and styles, moving a chart, or saving your own chart template. It links to a template gallery for pre-built charts. For those tasks, check Microsoft’s other chart articles.
Quick checklist
- Clean data with headers selected
- Recommended Charts previewed
- Trendline added only where it helps
