How to add a horizontal line to the chart
![Goal as horizontal line in Excel 2016 Goal as horizontal line in Excel 2016](/images/tips/485_2016/1.png)
![Limits as horizontal line in Excel 2016 Limits as horizontal line in Excel 2016](/images/tips/485_2016/2.png)
To add a horizontal line to your chart, do the following:
1. Add the cell or cells with the goal or limit (limits) to your data, for example:
![Additional data for the chart in Excel 2016 Additional data for the chart in Excel 2016](/images/tips/485_2016/3.png)
2. Add a new data series to your chart by doing one of the following:
- Under Chart Tools, on the Design tab, in the Data group, choose Select Data:
- Right-click in the chart area and choose Select Data... in the popup menu:
In the Select Data Source dialog box, click the Add button and in the Edit Series dialog box, type:
- In the Series name box - the name of this line (Goal),
- In the Series values box - the cell with the goal ($C$17):
![Edit Series in Excel 2016 Edit Series in Excel 2016](/images/tips/485_2016/4.png)
3. If it is necessary, change data series:
3.1. Right-click in the new data series and choose Change Series Chart Type... in the popup menu:
![Change Series Chart Type in popup menu Excel 2016 Change Series Chart Type in popup menu Excel 2016](/images/tips/excel_button2016/change_series_chart_type.png)
3.2. In the Change Chart Type dialog box, choose the Scatter type:
![Change Chart Type in Excel 2016 Change Chart Type in Excel 2016](/images/tips/485_2016/5.png)
3.3. Repeat step 2 to change the data series:
In the Select Data Source dialog box, select the added data series and click the Edit button, then in the Edit Series dialog box:
- In the Series X values box - add any cell from the horizontal (category) axis (for example, $A$8):
![Series X values in Excel 2016 Series X values in Excel 2016](/images/tips/485_2016/6.png)
You will see the correct data for the same horizontal (category) axis:
![New data Series in Excel 2016 New data Series in Excel 2016](/images/tips/485_2016/7.png)
4. Under Chart Tools, on the Design tab, in the Chart Layouts group, click the Add Chart Element icon and choose the Error Bars list:
![Add Error Bars in Excel 2016 Add Error Bars in Excel 2016](/images/tips/excel_button2016/add_error_bars.png)
Excel proposes 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:
![More Error Bars Options in Excel 2016 More Error Bars Options in Excel 2016](/images/tips/485_2016/8.png)
To specify the length of the error line, click on the Specify Value button, and type the appropriate value for negative and positive values. For this example:
![Custom Error Bars in Excel 2016 Custom Error Bars in Excel 2016](/images/tips/485_2016/9.png)
You can then make any other adjustments to get the expected look.
See also this tip in French: Comment ajouter une ligne horizontale au graphique.