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Home > Blog > Digital Marketing > Data Visualization >

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.

Best charts in Excel
Best charts in ExcelBest charts in Excel

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

You will find 6 unique categories of data visualizations.

Best charts in Excel

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.
Best charts in Excel
  • Select the Sheet holding the data and click Create Chart From Selection, as shown.
Best charts in Excel
  • Let’s have a zoom look on this chart.
Best charts in Excel
Best charts in ExcelBest charts in Excel

Insights

The subject with the highest enrollment rate in 2020 is “Introduction to Game Development,” up from 4th in 2019 and 3rd 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.
Best charts in Excel
  • 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.
Best charts in Excel
  • Select the Sheet holding the data and click Create Chart from Selection, as shown.
Best charts in Excel
  • Let’s have zoom look on this chart.
Best charts in Excel
Best charts in ExcelBest charts in Excel

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.
Best charts in Excel
  • Select your sheet data and click the General Analysis Charts tab to access Radar Chart, as shown.
Best charts in Excel
  • Select data and click the Create Chart from Selection button to visualize data in Excel, as shown.
Best charts in Excel
  • Let’s have a zoom look on this chart.
Best charts in Excel
Best charts in ExcelBest charts in Excel

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.
  • Best charts in Excel
  • Select the data on the sheet and click Create Chart from Selection, as shown.
Best charts in Excel

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

Best charts in Excel
  • 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.
Best charts in Excel
  • After editing, your final chart should look like the one below.
Best charts in Excel
Best charts in ExcelBest charts in Excel

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.
Best charts in Excel
  • Select the Sheet holding the data and click Create Chart from Selection, as shown.
Best charts in Excel
  • 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.
Best charts in Excel
Best charts in ExcelBest charts in Excel

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.

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