Steps to Creating the Perfect Finance Chart

by Soufyan Hamid

Line Chart Bar Graph Pie Chart Waterfall Chart

Data organized in time and Select your table and Simple dataset with either
1 insert a “Line chart” 1 insert a bar chart 1 absolute values or proportions The Easy Way
Take the existing option in Excel...
Only case in the
world when merged
cells are accepted.

The list can be in any sense you want because

you will be able to change the order later

You have a basic and ugly Colour the bars to your You have a basic and ugly
2 line chart (with labels) 2 company standards 2 pie chart
and you’ll get this:
That way, you
show your
business
"knowledge"
(especially if
working with
marketing
teams)

The reason why merged cells are useful

(does not work with Center Across Selection) 3 Change the gap width to 75%
Add the labels, including
3 Smooth the line for a 3 the category name Easy but not perfect.
professional sensation
I use for Pie
Charts "Inside
There are pros End" labels so
and cons to
smoothed lines
the pie remains
big and there is
still some space
The Hard Way
but in general,
they render between the
different
better in a
Build a Bar chart with the
presentation categories
1 column “Start & End”
Adjust labels by changing
If the data allows it, adapt
Go to "Format Data Series" and in "Series Options" 4 the separator
4 the bounds of your y-axis 4 Add labels
Again, pros and
cons to that
but if your Select the
point is made labels
easier by "Outside End"
zooming, no
shame to do it
Add “Before” and “After”
5 Delete/hide unnecessary items 5 Change the axis and hide it
2 series in line graphs
Your chart is
cleaner and Display units:
easier to read Thousands

5
without title Unshow display
(will be in the unit label Label Delete/hide unnecessary items
heading of the position to
slide), axis "None"
labels, border,...
Your chart is cleaner

6 Adapt the font and colours 6 Hide the gridlines and border
and easier to read
without title (will be in
the heading of the
to your company standards Add “Up/Down Bars” to your
slide), border, legend,...
3 graph and change the
They will be
recognisable for
colours appropriately for
Adapt the font and colours bars and lines
6
your management
and will display
your commitment to your company standards
towards your
company
They will be
recognisable for your
management and
Adapt the graph to better
7 show your message Select "No Line" when asking for colours
will display your
commitment
towards your
7 Delete title & increase font size company

Add “Labels” series in

7 Adapt the graph to better 4 secondary axis and add
show your message
labels by selecting from cells
of column “Values”

Text will be on your slides and

Finally, put text to help the font should be readable
8 viewer get the message Grey all columns except the
8 one you want to talk about
Finally, put text to help the
8 viewer get the message 5 Finally Adapt the
formatting to your needs
and own tastes

That way, focus will be set on the important

data point

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