Area Chart

An area chart is a primary Excel chart type, with data series plotted using lines with a
filled area below. Area charts are a good way to show change over time with one data
series. They offer a simple presentation that is easy to interpret at a glance.

Pros

 Simple presentation; easy to read and create

 Good for showing trends over periods of time
 Can handle positive and negative values
Cons

 Don't usually work well for multiple data series

 Line can imply more data than actually available (compared to bar or column
chart)

Chart examples
Product mix over time
This is an example of a 100% stacked area chart. This tricky chart type can be quite
hard to read. The idea is to visually show a percentage distribution across categories at
specific intervals, but you lose the ability...

Product mix over time

This is an example of a 100% stacked area chart. This tricky chart type can be quite
hard to read. The idea is to visually show a percentage distribution across categories at
specific intervals, but you lose the ability to compare absolute numbers, unless you
add as data labels. In this case, data labels are only used to display the series name.
 So, what can you see with this chart? Primarily, you can see that sales of Retrobags
are collapsing while Organic Flannel makes up the slack. Hammocks and Banjo Packs
are relatively stable. But what you can't see is if overall sales are increasing (they are)
or decreasing.

Have you got a good example of a useful 100% stacked area chart? Leave a comment
below if so, I'd like to add more good examples.

The data used to plot this chart looks like this:

How to create this chart

1. Select the data and select line chart on the ribbon:
2. Select the 100% Stacked Area option under 2d area

3. Chart as inserted

4. Select and delete legend

5. Add data labels to chart:

6. Select each data series. Check Series Name, then uncheck Value:
7. Final 100% Stacked Area chart before title and size changes:

Chart type 
100% Stacked Area Chart