How to Add Trendline in Excel? A Quick and Easy Guide

How to add a trendline in Excel? Unveiling data tendencies with a simple line. Visualizing trends in your data becomes effortless with Excel’s trendline feature.

Whether you have sales figures over time, website traffic fluctuations, or any other numerical dataset, adding a trendline can illuminate underlying patterns and predict future values.

How to add trendline in Excel is like putting your data on a runway for a fashion show. It struts your numbers in style, making trends pop and relationships sizzle. Whether you’re managing finances or tracking weather patterns, Excel trendlines are here to save the day.

You might think that trendlines are reserved for math wizards and data geeks.

That’s not true.

How to add a trendline to an Excel chart, you don’t need to be a data scientist or an Excel expert. It’s a straightforward process that you can complete in just a few simple steps. We’ll navigate the trendline terrain together, ensuring that you can harness the full potential of this feature.

Your data will thank you, and you’ll look like a spreadsheet wizard in the process.

Table of Content:

1. How to Add Trendline in Excel?
   1. Step 1: Click and Select Chart
   2. Step 2: Add Chart Elements
   3. Step 3: Select The Trendline
   4. Step 4: Select Trendline type
2. How to Draw a Trendline in Excel 2010?
3. How to Add Multiple Trendlines To a Single Chart?
4. Why and When You Should Use Trendlines?
5. Different Types of Trendlines
6. How to Format a Trendline in Excel?
7. How to Extend Trendline in Excel?
8. How to Add Trendline in Excel: Example
9. How to Remove Trendline in Excel?
10. How to Add Trendline in Excel: Best Practice
11. Wrap Up

Let’s get started.

How to Add Trendline in Excel?

In Excel 2019, 2016, and 2013, adding a trendline is a straightforward three-step process:

Step 1: Click and Select Chart

Step 2: Add Chart Elements

• • Tick the Trendline box to insert a default linear trendline.

Step 3: Select The Trendline

Step 4: Click And Select Trendline type

Tip: You can add a trendline by right-clicking on the data series and selecting ‘Add Trendline.

How to Draw a Trendline in Excel 2010?

To add a trendline in Excel 2010, follow these steps:

1. Select the data series in the chart where you wish to add the trendline.
2. Go to the Layout tab under Chart Tools, then in the Analysis group, click Trendline. You can either:
   • Select one of the predefined trendline options, or
   • Select ‘More Trendline Options…’ to pick the specific trendline type for your chart.

How to Add Multiple Trendlines To a Single Chart?

Microsoft Excel supports adding several trendlines to a chart. Here’s how to manage two common situations:

Adding a Trendline for Each Data Series:

• Right-click on the data points for the series you wish to trend (such as those highlighted in blue) and choose ‘Add Trendline…’ from the context menu. This action will add a trendline to that specific data series. Then, in the Trendline Options tab that appears, select the type of trendline you want.

• In the Trendline Options tab that appears, choose the type of trendline you prefer.

• Repeat these steps for each additional data series.

As a result, each data series will display its trendline in the corresponding color.

Alternative Method:

Click the Chart Elements button, then click the arrow beside Trendline, and choose the trendline type you want. Excel will list all data series in the chart. Choose the one you need and click OK.

Why and When You Should Use Trendlines?

Why and when you may ask, are these lines so darn useful?

Let’s find out:

• Pattern identification: Trendlines cut through the noise, revealing patterns and trends you might have missed.
• Prediction: When you extrapolate the trend, you can estimate where data points are likely to fall. This is valuable for forecasting sales, stock prices, or other variables.
• Simplification: In a world where data can be as complex as a Rubik’s Cube, trendlines provide the cheat codes. They simplify data, turning chaos into order. No more squinting at endless data points. Just a sleek line that says, “Here’s the gist of it.”
• Decision-making: Trendlines hold the answer. They guide your decisions by showing if your actions are on the right track or veering into a data ditch.
• Monitoring and control: Trendlines and Multi-Axis graphs in Excel provide a means to monitor the progress of different parameters across time. This simplifies the identification of anomalies and the implementation of corrective measures when required.

Different Types of Trendlines

• Linear Trendline

The linear trendline is a straight line that best fits data points. It’s suitable for data that changes steadily and predictably over time.

Use a linear trendline when you want to depict a constant rate of change. For example, it’s great for showing how monthly website traffic increases over a year.

• Exponential Trendline

The exponential trendline is a curved line that showcases rapid growth or decline that accelerates over time. This trendline is ideal for data that follows exponential growth or decay patterns. It’s commonly used in finance to model compounding interest or in biology to describe population growth.

• Logarithmic Trendline

When data exhibits rapid initial changes followed by a slowing-down effect, we use the logarithmic trendline. This trendline is often used to model situations where the rate of change decreases over time. It is especially useful for technology adoption curves or saturation-type scenarios.

• Power Trendline

This trendline is also known as a polynomial trendline. We use it when data doesn’t follow a linear pattern but can be expressed as a power-law equation. Therefore, it is suitable for data that accelerates or decelerates at an increasing rate. You can use it in various fields, from physics to economics, to capture nonlinear relationships.

• Time Series Trendline

Time series trendlines are vital for data collected over successive, equally spaced time intervals. They help in understanding and forecasting data that evolves with time.

Use time-series trendlines when analyzing historical stock prices, temperature variations, or economic indicators. They are crucial for detecting seasonality, long-term trends, and cyclic patterns in time-based data.

How to Format a Trendline in Excel?

To enhance the clarity and interpretability of your graph, you might want to adjust the default appearance of a trendline. Right-click on the trendline and choose ‘Format Trendline…’ or simply double-click the trendline to access the Format Trendline pane.

In the pane, go to the Fill & Line tab where you can customize the color, width, and dash style of your trendline. For example, you can switch it from a dashed line to a solid line.

How to Add Trendline in Excel: Example

Data visualization is the secret sauce that adds flavor to your data story. It takes those mundane numbers and transforms them into a captivating visual feast, particularly when utilizing techniques like multivariate analysis to uncover deeper insights.

But let’s face it: Excel can be a bit of a buzzkill when it comes to data visualization. Sure, it has its visuals, but they’re like a plain white t-shirt in a world of haute couture.

That’s where ChartExpo comes in with its wide range of custom Excel charts and simplified data visualization. As a result, it takes your trendline analysis in Excel to a whole new level. Say goodbye to bland visuals and hello to dynamic and impactful charts that tell a compelling data story.

How to Install ChartExpo in Excel?

1. Open your Excel application.
2. Open the worksheet and click the “Insert” menu.
3. You’ll see the “My Apps” option.
4. In the office Add-ins window, click “Store” and search for ChartExpo on my Apps Store.
5. Click the “Add” button to install ChartExpo in your Excel.

ChartExpo charts are available both in Google Sheets and as add-ins for Excel on Mac or Windows. Please use the following CTAs to install the tool of your choice and create beautiful visualizations in just a few clicks on your favorite platform.

Sample Data

Let’s say you want to analyze the data below on Web Traffic, Cost per lead, and Sales:

Months	Web Traffic	CPL (in $)	No. of Sales
Jan	13000	85	500
Feb	14000	80	550
Mar	18000	75	600
Apr	22000	68	650
May	26000	60	720
Jun	30000	55	800
Jul	35000	48	900
Aug	40000	42	1000
Sep	47000	38	1200
Oct	46000	34	2000
Nov	44000	28	2500
Dec	48000	17	3200

Follow the steps below to learn how to create a trend graph in Excel with ChartExpo.

• To get started with ChartExpo, install ChartExpo in Excel.
• Now Click on My Apps from the INSERT menu.

• Choose ChartExpo from My Apps, then click Insert.

• Once it loads, scroll through the charts list to locate and choose the “Multi-Axis Line Chart”.

• Click the “Create Chart From Selection” button after selecting the data from the sheet, as shown.

• ChartExpo will generate the visualization below for you.

• If you want to have the chart’s title, click Edit Chart, as shown in the above image.
• Click the pencil icon next to the Chart Header to change the title.
• It will open the properties dialog. Under the Text section, you can add a heading in Line 1 and enable Show.
• Give the appropriate title of your chart and click the Apply button.

• Click the Settings button and change the “Data Representation” as follows:

• Click the small pencil icon highlighted and change the CPL, Y-axis numbers “Precision” property.

• Click the Label button to add the $ sign prefix to numbers.

• Click the small pencil icon of Line to change the Line Properties.

How to Add Trendline in Excel?

• Begin by selecting the small pencil icon.
• This will open a small box called Line Properties.
• Navigate to the Trend Line section.
• Toggle the Show button to enable it. Then click the Apply All button.
• Click the Save Changes button to complete the process.

• Your final chart will look like the one below.

Insights

• The web traffic has been consistently increasing, with a small peak in September.
• The cost per lead has been decreasing over time, starting at around $85 and reaching about $17 in the last month.
• There has been a significant increase in the number of sales since September.
• The trendlines are indicating optimistic predictions.

How to Remove Trendline in Excel?

To remove a trendline from your chart, right-click the trendline and select ‘Delete,’

or click the Chart Elements button and uncheck the Trendline box.

 

In either method, Excel will immediately remove the trendline from the chart.

How to Add Trendline in Excel: Best Practice

1. Select Your Data: Highlight the data series you want to analyze.
2. Insert a Chart: Navigate to the ‘Insert’ tab and select a scatter or line chart that best fits your data.
3. Add a Trendline: Click on the data series, then right-click and select “Add Trendline.” Choose the trendline type (linear, exponential, etc.) that fits your data trend.
4. Customize the Trendline: In the ‘Format Trendline’ pane, modify settings such as line color, thickness, and display options. You may also choose to show the equation and R-squared value for a more in-depth analysis.
5. Review and Interpret: Ensure the trendline accurately represents your data’s direction and strength. Use this visual guide to make data-driven decisions.

FAQs

How do you add a Trendline in Excel on a Mac?

To add a trendline in Excel on a Mac:

1. Select your chart.
2. Click on the chart data series.
3. Go to “Chart Design” or “Format” in the ribbon.
4. Choose “Add Chart Element.”
5. Select “Trendline” and pick the desired type.

What is the shortcut to add a trendline in Excel?

In Excel, you can quickly add a trendline by selecting your chart and then pressing “Alt” + “J” + “T” on a PC. Or “Fn” + “Option” + “Command” + “T” on a Mac. This keyboard shortcut streamlines the process for convenience.

How is Trendline calculated in Excel?

Excel calculates a trendline using various mathematical methods. For linear trendlines, it uses the least-squares method. This method finds the line that minimizes the sum of squared differences between data points and the line. Other trendline types employ specific equations and algorithms suited to their respective patterns.

Wrap Up

How to Add Trendlines in Excel: Excel users often seek to enhance the visual representation of their data by incorporating trendlines into their charts.

How to Add trendline in Excel is an invaluable skill for data analysis and visualization. It’s not just about creating lines on a chart; it’s about unleashing the latent potential within your data.

Trendlines serve various purposes, such as simplifying complex datasets, making predictions, identifying patterns, and aiding decision-making. They give you control over your data, helping you monitor trends and make informed decisions.

Excel offers a user-friendly interface for adding trendlines. You can select your chart, choose a data series, and, with a few clicks, add a trendline. Whether it’s linear, exponential, logarithmic, etc, the choice should align with your data’s behavior and your research objectives.

However, it’s important to note that Excel has its limitations when it comes to data visualization. It might not offer the extensive customization and advanced features you need for complex data analysis. For more advanced and tailored data visualization experiences, specialized tools like ChartExpo come in handy.

Your data-driven journey awaits.

Embrace the power of trendlines today and let your data tell its story with clarity and precision.