How to add a vertical line to the chart

Excel 365 2013 2010 2007
This tip is about how to add a vertical line in your chart. E.g., this will be useful to show data and highlight a current date.
Chart with vertical line in Excel 2016

To add a vertical line to your line or scatter chart, do the following:

   1.   Add the date with the current date to your data, for example:

Data in Excel 2016

   2.   To add a new data series to your chart, do one of the following:

  • Under Chart Tools, on the Design tab, in the Data group, choose Select Data:
    Select Data in Excel 2016
  • Right-click in the chart area and choose Select Data... in the popup menu:
    Select Data in popup menu Excel 2016

In the Select Data Source dialog box, click the Add button and in the Edit Series dialog box, type:

  • In the Series X values box - the cell with the current date ($D$4)
  • In the Series Y values box - constant value (1):
New Data Series in Excel 2016

   3.   If it is necessary, change data series:

  • Right-click in the new data series and choose Change Series Chart Type... in the popup menu:
    Change Series Chart Type in Excel 2016
  • In the Change Chart Type dialog box, choose the Scatter type:
    Change Series Chart Type in Excel 2016

   4.   On the Design tab, in the Chart Layouts group, click the Add Chart Element list and choose Error Bars list:

Add Error Bars in Excel 2016

Excel propose several error bars, also you can use More Error Bars Options.... If necessary, you can fine-tune the error bar settings from the Format Error Bars pane:

Format Error Bars Options in Excel 2016

If you change the date, the chart will be changed too:

Chart with vertical line in Excel 2016

You can then make any other adjustments to get the expected look.

See also this tip in French: Comment ajouter une ligne verticale au graphique.

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