Knowledge Base

XL98: Trendlines Unavailable for Area Chart Type

Article ID: 192284

Article Last Modified on 9/11/2002

APPLIES TO

This article was previously published under Q192284

SYMPTOMS

In Microsoft Excel, you may be unable to add a trendline to an area chart.

CAUSE

When you use the Area chart type, the Trendlines command may be unavailable because trendlines can only be added if the Area chart type is not stacked.

WORKAROUND

The default Area chart type is a stacked area, even if only one series is being charted. If this chart type is selected, then the Trendlines command (on the Insert menu) will be unavailable (dimmed). To unstack an Area chart type, follow these steps:

  1. Select the area chart.
  2. On the Chart menu, click Chart Type.
  3. In the Chart Type dialog box, make sure Area is selected under Chart Type.
  4. Under Chart Sub-Type, click to select the upper-leftmost chart sub- type, and then click OK.
The area chart becomes unstacked. To create trendlines, select the series and then click Add Trendline on the Chart menu.

MORE INFORMATION

In Microsoft Excel, you can add trendlines to data series on a chart for the following chart types: unstacked 2-D area, bar, column, line, stock, xy (scatter), and bubble charts. You cannot add trendlines to data series in 3- D, stacked, radar, pie, or doughnut charts.

To create a trendline for a particular data series, follow these steps:

  1. Select the series.
  2. On the Chart menu, click Add Trendline.

Additional query words: XL98

Keywords: kbchart kbprb KB192284


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