How to Add a Second Set of Data to an Excel Graph

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Need to visualize more than one set of data on a single Excel graph or chart? This wikiHow article will show you the easiest ways to add new data to an existing bar or line graph, plus how to plot a second data set to compare two sets of similar linear data on a single graph.

Method 1
Method 1 of 3:

Comparing Two Sets of Data on One Graph

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    Use this method if you want to compare two sets of similar data on the same graph. For example, comparing sales for red t-shirts versus blue t-shirts in the same year. [1]
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    If you haven't already done so, add the second set of data you want to compare to the first set somewhere on the same sheet as your existing data. The cells do not have to be adjacent.
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    This opens the Select Data Source dialog window. [2]
    • You can also click the graph once, select the Chart Design tab at the top, and then click Select Data on the toolbar at the top of Word.
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    You'll see it under the "Legend Entries (Series)" header.
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    This is how your data will appear on the graph and legend.
    • You can also click a cell that contains the name you want to use for this range to make that cell's value the name of the series. [3]
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    This activates the field.
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    Once you lift your finger from the mouse, the range will appear in the "Series X values" field.
    • For example, if a set of dates runs along the X axis of your original data, select the second set of dates for this X axis.
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    This activates the Y axis field.
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    Use the mouse to highlight the new data you want to add to this second Y axis.
    • If you see an error when trying to select a set of data, delete everything in the field and select that range again.
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    Now you'll see two different sets of data under "Legend Entries (Series)".
  11. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/7\/77\/Add-a-Second-Set-of-Data-to-an-Excel-Graph-Step-11.jpg\/v4-460px-Add-a-Second-Set-of-Data-to-an-Excel-Graph-Step-11.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/7\/77\/Add-a-Second-Set-of-Data-to-an-Excel-Graph-Step-11.jpg\/aid13044729-v4-728px-Add-a-Second-Set-of-Data-to-an-Excel-Graph-Step-11.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    Your graph now displays a comparison of two sets of data on the same chart.
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Method 2
Method 2 of 3:

Adding More Data to a Graph on the Same Sheet

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    Use this method if your graph and its existing data are on the same worksheet. [4]
    • This method will combine the second set of data with the original data on the existing axes.
  2. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/7\/7d\/Add-a-Second-Set-of-Data-to-an-Excel-Graph-Step-13.jpg\/v4-460px-Add-a-Second-Set-of-Data-to-an-Excel-Graph-Step-13.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/7\/7d\/Add-a-Second-Set-of-Data-to-an-Excel-Graph-Step-13.jpg\/aid13044729-v4-728px-Add-a-Second-Set-of-Data-to-an-Excel-Graph-Step-13.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    When you click the graph, you'll see lines and sizing handles surrounding the data that's already included. The second series of data you've added is not yet highlighted.
  3. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/5\/5e\/Add-a-Second-Set-of-Data-to-an-Excel-Graph-Step-14.jpg\/v4-460px-Add-a-Second-Set-of-Data-to-an-Excel-Graph-Step-14.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/5\/5e\/Add-a-Second-Set-of-Data-to-an-Excel-Graph-Step-14.jpg\/aid13044729-v4-728px-Add-a-Second-Set-of-Data-to-an-Excel-Graph-Step-14.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    For example, if you added a new column of data to the right of the existing data, drag the rightmost handle to the right to include that column in the data selection range. The chart will update right away to reflect all of the data selected. [5]
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Method 3
Method 3 of 3:

Adding More Data to Graph on a Different Sheet

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  1. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/3\/3f\/Add-a-Second-Set-of-Data-to-an-Excel-Graph-Step-15.jpg\/v4-460px-Add-a-Second-Set-of-Data-to-an-Excel-Graph-Step-15.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/3\/3f\/Add-a-Second-Set-of-Data-to-an-Excel-Graph-Step-15.jpg\/aid13044729-v4-728px-Add-a-Second-Set-of-Data-to-an-Excel-Graph-Step-15.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    Use this method if your graph and data are on separate sheets. [6]
    • This method will combine the second set of data with the original data on the existing axes.
  2. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/1\/18\/Add-a-Second-Set-of-Data-to-an-Excel-Graph-Step-16.jpg\/v4-460px-Add-a-Second-Set-of-Data-to-an-Excel-Graph-Step-16.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/1\/18\/Add-a-Second-Set-of-Data-to-an-Excel-Graph-Step-16.jpg\/aid13044729-v4-728px-Add-a-Second-Set-of-Data-to-an-Excel-Graph-Step-16.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    Type the new data for your graph into the cells directly next to or below your current data. [7]
  3. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/9\/92\/Add-a-Second-Set-of-Data-to-an-Excel-Graph-Step-17.jpg\/v4-460px-Add-a-Second-Set-of-Data-to-an-Excel-Graph-Step-17.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/9\/92\/Add-a-Second-Set-of-Data-to-an-Excel-Graph-Step-17.jpg\/aid13044729-v4-728px-Add-a-Second-Set-of-Data-to-an-Excel-Graph-Step-17.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    This opens the Select Data Source dialog window. [8]
    • You can also click the graph once, select the Chart Design tab at the top, and then click Select Data on the toolbar at the top of Word.
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    Leaving the Select Data Source window open, use the mouse to highlight all of the data you want to include in your chart, including the existing data. [9]
    • Once you select some data, the series will appear under "Legend Entries (Series)" on the left side of the Select Data Source window.
  5. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/6\/68\/Add-a-Second-Set-of-Data-to-an-Excel-Graph-Step-19.jpg\/v4-460px-Add-a-Second-Set-of-Data-to-an-Excel-Graph-Step-19.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/6\/68\/Add-a-Second-Set-of-Data-to-an-Excel-Graph-Step-19.jpg\/aid13044729-v4-728px-Add-a-Second-Set-of-Data-to-an-Excel-Graph-Step-19.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    This closes the dialog window and adds the second data set to your chart.
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      References

      1. ↑ https://edu.gcfglobal.org/en/excel2016/creating-and-opening-workbooks/1/
      2. ↑ https://support.microsoft.com/en-au/office/change-the-data-series-in-a-chart-30b55a30-1c2e-42d5-8ed1-3cc3ffb68036
      3. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u7V1LPVlHck
      4. ↑ https://edu.gcfglobal.org/en/excel2016/creating-and-opening-workbooks/1/
      5. ↑ https://support.microsoft.com/en-gb/office/move-or-resize-a-chart-f9d6087b-1d7b-4a72-8d81-1d0788ea783f
      6. ↑ https://edu.gcfglobal.org/en/excel2016/creating-and-opening-workbooks/1/
      7. ↑ https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/office/add-a-data-series-to-your-chart-25340cfb-3fa3-428c-82cf-79983125df12
      8. ↑ https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/office/add-a-data-series-to-your-chart-25340cfb-3fa3-428c-82cf-79983125df12
      9. ↑ https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/office/add-a-data-series-to-your-chart-25340cfb-3fa3-428c-82cf-79983125df12

      About This Article

      Article Summary X

      1. Right-click the graph and select Select Data .
      2. Click Add .
      3. Type a name for the range.
      4. Click the "Series X values" field and then select data for the X axis.
      5. Click the "Series Y values" field and select data for the Y axis.
      6. Click OK and then OK again.

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