Top 5 Best Charts in Excel and How to Use Them?

You’ll agree when we say Excel is a powerful tool for visualizing data.

And this is because it comes with a familiar user interface (UI). In other words, it has been there for decades. Besides, it has proven time and again to be amazingly reliable in storing and visualizing data.

Some of the best charts in Excel for data storytelling include Column, Bar Chart, Line, Area, Pie, Donut, and Combo charts, among others.

But, Excel produces pretty basic charts that require a lot of tweaking to be appealing or communicate insights fast. Besides, this spreadsheet tool lacks advanced charts that you may need to create compelling data stories.

Well, there’s a tool that supercharges your favorite spreadsheet tool. Yes, you read that right. This tool enhances Excel to generate insightful, visually appealing, and most importantly, easy to interpret charts.

This blog will walk you through how you can supercharge your Excel to create visually appealing and insightful charts. You’ll also get to learn about the top 5 best charts in Excel produced by our mysterious tool.

In this blog you will learn:

• Top 5 Best Charts in Excel Spreadsheet You Need to Try
• 5 Advanced Excel Charts You Can Create Using ChartExpo
• How to Create a Comparison Bar Chart?
• How to Create a Slope Chart in Excel using ChartExpo Add-in?
• How to Create a Matrix Chart in Excel using ChartExpo?
• How to Create a Stacked Bar Chart in Excel using ChartExpo?

Keep reading to discover the amazing visualization tool.

Top 5 Best Charts in Excel Spreadsheet You Need to Try

Before we delve into the best charts you need to try, let’s talk about the tool we introduced briefly at the introduction.

The name of the tool is ChartExpo.

This amazingly easy-to-use tool comes as an add-in you can download and install into your Excel.

So why do we recommend this tool?

ChartExpo integrates seamlessly with your Excel to create stunning and highly insightful charts for your data stories. Besides, it comes loaded with 50-plus charts to ensure you get the most out of your vast data.

With ChartExpo, you don’t need to know programming or coding. Yes, it’s that easy peasy to use.

When you’re curating a data story, feel confident you have a reliable data visualization buddy on your side. ChartExpo provides you unlimited freedom to customize your chart to align with your data story.

You can highlight the key insights you want your audience to take in with ease. You just need a few mouse clicks to access the best charts in Excel that fit seamlessly within your data narrative.

How to Get Started with ChartExpo Add-in?

To Get Started with advanced Excel charts library which is ChartExpo for Excel add-In, follow the Simple and Easy Steps Below.

• Open your Excel application.
• Open the worksheet and click on the INSERT menu.
• You’ll see the My Apps option.
• Click the My Apps option and then click the See All button.

• Search for ChartExpo Add-in in the my Apps Store
• Click the Insert button.

• The add-in will be added to your Excel application.
• Log in with your Microsoft account or create a new account by clicking the Create one!
• Log in with the newly created account and start using the ChartExpo add-in to access advanced Excel charts.
• Enter your newly created account and start using the ChartExpo add-in. You’re only required to log in for the first time. Next time, ChartExpo won’t ask for your details again.
• Now you can start using ChartExpo and enjoy unlimited access to the best charts in Excel.

You will find 6 unique categories of data visualizations.

5 Advanced Excel Charts You Can Create Using ChartExpo

Let’s talk about the top 5 best charts in Excel you can create using ChartExpo.

1-Comparison Bar Chart

A Comparison Bar Chart is one of the best charts in Excel you can use to compare the metrics in your data with respect to dimensions, such as time.

You can only access this chart template once you’ve installed ChartExpo in your spreadsheet.

Benefits

You can use this chart to compare the performance of metrics in your data in different periods easily.

How to Create a Comparison Bar Chart?

Like we said, a Comparison Bar Chart is one of the best advanced Excel charts you can use to create persuasive data narratives for your target audience.

Let’s use the tabular data below to get started with this advanced

Excel chart. This data is about students registered for the subjects in different years.

Year	Subject	Count
2018	Introduction to Probability	700
2018	Calculus Applied	250
2018	Computer Science for Lawyers	300
2018	The Architectural Imagination	600
2018	Principle of Biochemistry	600
2018	Data Science: R Basics	250
2018	Introduction to Game Development	800
2018	Entrepreneurship in Emerging Economics	800
2018	Understanding Technology	600
2018	Using Python for Research	400
2018	Data Science: Productivity Tools	350
2018	Data Science: Inference and Modeling	800
2018	Data Science: Wrangling	250
2018	Data Science: Linear Regression	700
2019	Introduction to Probability	300
2019	Calculus Applied	350
2019	Computer Science for Lawyers	200
2019	The Architectural Imagination	350
2019	Principle of Biochemistry	800
2019	Data Science: R Basics	400
2019	Introduction to Game Development	650
2019	Entrepreneurship in Emerging Economics	550
2019	Understanding Technology	700
2019	Using Python for Research	250
2019	Data Science: Productivity Tools	500
2019	Data Science: Inference and Modeling	700
2019	Data Science: Wrangling	450
2019	Data Science: Linear Regression	500
2020	Introduction to Probability	700
2020	Calculus Applied	180
2020	Computer Science for Lawyers	250
2020	The Architectural Imagination	180
2020	Principle of Biochemistry	300
2020	Data Science: R Basics	500
2020	Introduction to Game Development	700
2020	Entrepreneurship in Emerging Economics	600
2020	Understanding Technology	300
2020	Using Python for Research	450
2020	Data Science: Productivity Tools	600
2020	Data Science: Inference and Modeling	600
2020	Data Science: Wrangling	500
2020	Data Science: Linear Regression	300

• Copy the table in Excel to get started with the Comparison Bar Chart.
• Click the Insert button to access the My Apps option.
• Click the My Apps option to see the ChartExpo add-in.
• You’ll see a library of charts categorized into 6 major sub-groups, as shown.
• Click the Comparative Analysis Charts button to access the Comparison Bar Chart, as shown.

• Select the Sheet holding the data and click Create Chart From Selection, as shown.

• Let’s have a zoom look on this chart.

Insights

The subject with the highest enrollment rate in 2020 is “Introduction to Game Development,” up from 4^th in 2019 and 3^rd position in 2018.

Conversely, “Computer Science for Lawyers” has the lowest enrollment rate across the 3 periods (2018, 2019, and 2020).

2-Slope Chart

Slope Charts are simple graphs that quickly and directly show transitions, changes over time, absolute values, and even rankings. Besides, they’re also called Slope Graphs.

You can use this chart to show the before and after story of variables in your data.

Benefits

Slope Graphs can be useful when you have two time periods or points of comparison and want to show relative increases and decreases quickly across various categories between two data points.

How to Create a Slope Chart in Excel using ChartExpo Add-in?

Let’s use the tabular data below in our example to get you started with data storytelling using a Slope Chart.

Period	Months	Measure
2020	January	69
2020	February	34
2020	March	16
2020	April	28
2020	May	43
2020	June	56
2020	July	74
2020	August	29
2020	September	60
2020	October	75
2020	November	67
2020	December	45
2019	January	78
2019	February	43
2019	March	20
2019	April	35
2019	May	39
2019	June	67
2019	July	65
2019	August	35
2019	September	70
2019	October	65
2019	November	87
2019	December	50

• Copy the table in Excel to get started with Slope Charts.
• Click the Insert button to access the My Apps option.
• Click the My Apps option to get the ChartExpo add-in.

• You’ll see a library of charts categorized into 6 major sub-groups.
• Click the Pay-per-click (PPC) Chart button to access the Slope Chart, as shown.

• Select the Sheet holding the data and click Create Chart from Selection, as shown.

• Let’s have zoom look on this chart.

Insights

• October and July are the best-performing month of the financial year 2020.
• Nov, Jan, sept and Jun are slightly decreased in year 2020 as compared to previous.
• March and December remained same in both year.

3-Radar Chart

This chart gets its name from its shape. In other words, it looks like a spider web, in which variables are organized in different shapes.

The Radar Chart is one of the best charts in Excel, because it’s incredibly easy to understand and customize. Furthermore, you can show several metrics across a single dimension. Use Radar charts to uncover outliers and commonalities in your data.

Benefits

• Radar Charts are incredibly easy to understand.
• You can easily spot patterns and trends in your data using this advanced Excel chart.
• A Radar Diagram is one of the best charts in Excel for data storytelling.

So how can you get started with Radar Charts?

If you’ve already installed ChartExpo in your Excel, follow the steps below to get started. But, if you’ve not installed ChartExpo, follow the easy-to-follow instructions above to get started with this FREE add-on.

Let’s use the example below.

Imagine you run a beauty brand, and want to know the best and worst-sellers in a given financial year. The products in your inventory include face creams, skin lightening creams, and beauty creams.

Let’s use the table below for our scenario.

Product	Month	Number of Orders
Face Cream	Dec	80
Face Cream	Nov	65
Face Cream	Oct	75
Face Cream	Sep	80
Face Cream	Aug	90
Face Cream	July	85
Face Cream	June	65
Face Cream	May	70
Face Cream	April	80
Face Cream	Mar	93
Face Cream	Feb	99
Face Cream	Jan	80
Skin Lightening Cream	Dec	100
Skin Lightening Cream	Nov	60
Skin Lightening Cream	Oct	95
Skin Lightening Cream	Sep	75
Skin Lightening Cream	Aug	100
Skin Lightening Cream	July	60
Skin Lightening Cream	June	95
Skin Lightening Cream	May	75
Skin Lightening Cream	April	109
Skin Lightening Cream	Mar	80
Skin Lightening Cream	Feb	109
Skin Lightening Cream	Jan	75
Beauty Cream	Dec	50
Beauty Cream	Nov	55
Beauty Cream	Oct	51
Beauty Cream	Sep	40
Beauty Cream	Aug	45
Beauty Cream	July	30
Beauty Cream	June	39
Beauty Cream	May	45
Beauty Cream	April	56
Beauty Cream	Mar	39
Beauty Cream	Feb	48
Beauty Cream	Jan	44

• Copy the table in Excel to get started with Radar Charts (one of the best charts in Excel).
• Click the Insert button to access the My Apps option.
• Click the My Apps option to access the ChartExpo add-in.
• You’ll see a library of charts categorized into 6 major sub-groups, as shown.

• Select your sheet data and click the General Analysis Charts tab to access Radar Chart, as shown.

• Select data and click the Create Chart from Selection button to visualize data in Excel, as shown.

• Let’s have a zoom look on this chart.

Insights

Face cream performed well in February, March, and July. On the other hand, skin lightening products performed well during April, June, August, October, and December.

The beauty cream was the poorest performer. And this means there’s a need for an in-depth investigation to determine the reason for abysmal performance of the product throughout the financial year.

4-Matrix Chart

A Matrix Chart shares remarkable similarities with the traditional bar chart. But, the critical difference is that the bars in this chart are stacked on each other to enhance comparison and come with parallel to other data to make it easier to understand the differences.

We recommend this diagram, which is one of the best charts in Excel, if your goal is to extract high-level insights from your data.

Benefits

• A Matrix Chart is incredibly easy to read and understand, even for non-technical audiences.
• Use this chart to uncover high-level insights into your data.

How to Create a Matrix Chart in Excel using ChartExpo?

Let’s use the tabular data below to get started with this chart.

Brand	Store	Period	Number of Orders
Adidas	Store-B	Current	100
Adidas	Store-B	Previous	200
Adidas	Store-C	Current	450
Adidas	Store-C	Previous	600
Adidas	Store-A	Previous	400
Adidas	Store-A	Current	620
Nike	Store-B	Current	240
Nike	Store-B	Previous	400
Nike	Store-C	Current	70
Nike	Store-C	Previous	100
Nike	Store-A	Previous	500
Nike	Store-A	Current	300
Tesco	Store-B	Current	700
Tesco	Store-B	Previous	600
Tesco	Store-C	Current	500
Tesco	Store-C	Previous	300
Tesco	Store-A	Previous	1200
Tesco	Store-A	Current	800
lucky brand	Store-B	Current	150
lucky brand	Store-B	Previous	70
lucky brand	Store-C	Current	350
lucky brand	Store-C	Previous	250
lucky brand	Store-A	Previous	600
lucky brand	Store-A	Current	700
Calvin Klein	Store-B	Current	200
Calvin Klein	Store-B	Previous	150
Calvin Klein	Store-C	Current	60
Calvin Klein	Store-C	Previous	80
Calvin Klein	Store-A	Previous	200
Calvin Klein	Store-A	Current	250
DIESEL	Store-B	Current	800
DIESEL	Store-B	Previous	500
DIESEL	Store-C	Current	300
DIESEL	Store-C	Previous	600
DIESEL	Store-A	Previous	400
DIESEL	Store-A	Current	500
DOCKERS	Store-B	Current	250
DOCKERS	Store-B	Previous	200
DOCKERS	Store-C	Current	300
DOCKERS	Store-C	Previous	100
DOCKERS	Store-A	Previous	400
DOCKERS	Store-A	Current	350
George	Store-B	Current	700
George	Store-B	Previous	500
George	Store-C	Current	250
George	Store-C	Previous	300
George	Store-A	Previous	200
George	Store-A	Current	100
SANMAR	Store-B	Current	70
SANMAR	Store-B	Previous	100
SANMAR	Store-C	Current	40
SANMAR	Store-C	Previous	80
SANMAR	Store-A	Previous	150
SANMAR	Store-A	Current	80

• Copy the table in Excel to get started with the Matrix Chart.
• Click the Insert button to access the My Apps option.
• Click the My Apps option to get the ChartExpo add-in.
• You’ll see a library of charts categorized into 6 major sub-groups, as shown.
• Click the Pay-per-Click Charts button to access the Bar Stacked Comparison Chart, as shown.
• 
• Select the data on the sheet and click Create Chart from Selection, as shown.

As soon as you click on the button chart will be ready.

• If you want to add additional information, such as heading and legend, click the Edit Chart Button.
• Once you’re done with changes, click the Apply and then the Save Changes button.

• After editing, your final chart should look like the one below.

Insights

• Store A: The best and worst-performing brands in current and previous periods are Tesco and Sanmar, respectively.
• Store B: Diesel is the best-performing brand in the current period. Conversely, Sanmar is the worst-performing product.
• Store C: There is a tie in best performance between Diesel and Adidas in the previous period. Sanmar remains to be the worst-selling product in the brand.

5-Stack Bar Chart

A Stacked Bar Diagram is one of the best charts in Excel you can use to visualize part-to-whole relationships in your data.

Each bar in this chart represents a whole. And segments inside each bar represent different parts or categories of the whole. Different colors are used strategically to illustrate parts-to-whole insights.

Benefits

• Easy to Use to Uncover Hidden Insights

A Stacked Bar Diagram is one of the advanced Excel charts you can easily use to compare data points for in-depth, high-level insights. This chart empowers you to see the percentage of each data point compared to the total value.

• Save a Ton of Hours Every Day.

Stacked Bar Charts can help you save a lot of hours because it’s incredibly easy to plot, primarily if you use ChartExpo.

How to Create a Stacked Bar Chart in Excel using ChartExpo?

Let’s use the sample data below to get started with Stacked Bar Charts.

Team	Silver	Gold	Bronze
USA	41	39	33
Japan	14	27	17
Australia	7	17	22
Italy	10	10	20
Germany	11	10	16
France	12	10	11
Brazil	6	7	8
Cuba	3	7	5
Poland	5	4	5

• Copy the table in Excel to get started with Stacked Bar Charts.
• Click the Insert button to get the My Apps option.
• Click the My Apps option to access the ChartExpo add-in.
• You’ll see a library of charts categorized into 6 major sub-groups, as shown.
• Click the General Analysis Charts button to access Stacked Bar Chart, as shown.

• Select the Sheet holding the data and click Create Chart from Selection, as shown.

• You can edit chart and then change the colors according to your need, you can put some headers also and finally give a different aesthetics to this chart as shown below.

Insights

• The United States has the highest number of medals (gold, silver, and bronze).
• Japan has the second-largest number of medals.
• Poland is the worst performer on the list.

FAQs:

Why is visualization so Powerful?

Data visualization is incredibly important, especially in today’s world. Besides, it applies to almost all the sectors of the economy, including art and entertainment. Data visualization helps you save time taken to crunch raw numbers manually for in-depth insights.

Besides, it helps our brains to make sense of raw data in visual form quickly and effectively.

What is chart visualization?

Data visualization is the graphical representation of raw data for insights. Some of the best charts in Excel to use are Radar, Line, Stacked Bar, Comparison Non Sentimental, and Bar Stack Comparison Charts, among others.

You can only access these advanced Excel charts via third-party add-ins, such as ChartExpo.

Wrap Up

Congratulations if you’ve read the blog up to this point.

As we said, to get the most out of your data, you need the best charts in Excel. Why?

You don’t want your readers (or target audiences) to struggle to interpret the meaning and context of your data narrative. Using the right advanced Excel charts will not only save a ton of time but also make your data story persuasive.

Accessing the best charts in Excel (top 5 charts we highlighted earlier) does not have to be a struggle or even time-intensive. You need an intuitive and easy-to-use add-in to supercharge your Excel.

The data visualization tool we recommend to our readers is ChartExpo because of its full stack of tools, namely, graph maker, chart templates, and a data widget library.

These functionalities are incredibly easy to use. And this means you don’t need uber technical skills, such as coding or programming skills.

ChartExpo produces charts that are incredibly insightful and easy to read, even for non-technical audiences. So you can EASILY create social media reports, sales reports, and goal projections with this tool.

ChartExpo add-in has everything you need to create a compelling data story for your target readers (and target audiences). Try ChartExpo today to get the most out of your data.