This guide explains how to create a data projection of a chart with Microsoft Excel. You can follow this method on both Windows and Mac systems.
Steps
Method 1 of 2: Windows
Step 1. Open the Excel workbook
Double-click on the Excel document that contains the data you are interested in.
If the data to be analyzed is not yet contained in a spreadsheet, open Excel and click on Blank workbook to open a new one. At that point, you can enter the data and create a chart.
Step 2. Select the chart
Click on the graphic you want to create the projection of.
If you haven't created a chart with the data you are interested in yet, do so now, before continuing
Step 3. Click on ＋
You will see this green button in the upper right corner of the chart. Press it to bring up a drop-down menu.
Step 4. Click on the arrow to the right of the "Trendline" field
If necessary, move the mouse pointer to the right of the indicated field to make the arrow appear. Click to bring up a new menu.
Step 5. Select a trendline type
Based on your preferences, click on one of the following items:
- Linear;
- Exponential;
- Linear forecast;
- Two-period moving average;
- You can also click on Other options … to bring up the advanced settings window after selecting the data to be analyzed.
Step 6. Select the data to analyze
Click on the name of a data series (for example Series 1) in the window that just appeared. If you've already named your data, select it in this list.
Step 7. Click OK
This button is located at the bottom of the window. Press it to add a trend line to the chart.
If you have previously clicked on Other Options …, you will have the option to name the trendline or change its forecast on the right side of the window.
Step 8. Save your work
Press Ctrl + S to save the changes. If you have never saved the document before, you will be prompted to choose a save location and file name.
Method 2 of 2: Mac
Step 1. Open the Excel workbook
Double-click on the Excel document that contains the data you are interested in.
If the data to be analyzed is not yet contained in a spreadsheet, open Excel and click on Blank workbook to open a new one. At that point, you can enter the data and create a chart.
Step 2. Select the data within the chart
To do this, click on the data series you want to analyze.
If you have not yet created a chart with the data you are interested in, do so now, before continuing
Step 3. Click on the Chart Structure tab
You will see it at the top, inside the Excel window.
Step 4. Click Add Graphic Element
This item is at the far left of the toolbar Graphic structure. Select it to bring up a drop-down menu.
Step 5. Select Trendline
You will see this entry at the bottom of the drop-down menu you just opened. Press it to bring up another menu.
Step 6. Select a trendline type
According to your preferences, click on one of the following items in the newly appeared menu:
- Linear;
- Exponential;
- Linear forecast;
- Two-period moving average;
- You can also click on Other trendline options to bring up a window with advanced settings (for example, the name of the projection).
Step 7. Save your changes
Press ⌘ Command + Save, or click on File and then on Save. If you have never saved the document before, you will be prompted to choose a save location and file name.
