How to Add Multiple Data Sets to a Graph in Excel

Creating a graph with one set of data in Excel is simple enough, but the real power comes from visualizing multiple data sets on a single chart. This allows you to compare performance, spot trends, and see relationships between different metrics at a glance. In this tutorial, we'll walk through exactly how to add multiple data series to a graph in Excel, from getting your data set up correctly to creating advanced combination charts.

First, Prepare Your Data for Charting

Before you even think about inserting a chart, setting up your data correctly will save you a ton of headaches. Excel is powerful, but it works best when your data is structured in a clean, logical format. For a chart with multiple data sets, you need a shared category or axis and separate columns for each set of values you want to plot.

The most common setup is to have a shared unit of time (like months, quarters, or days) in the first column. Each subsequent column will then represent a different data series you want to compare - for example, product sales, website traffic by source, or ad spend versus revenue.

Here’s a practical example. Imagine you're a marketing manager for an online store, and you want to compare the monthly website traffic from three different channels: Organic Search, Social Media, and Paid Ads. Your data should be organized in a table like this:

This structure is perfect because:

• Column A (Month) is our shared horizontal axis (Category Axis). This is what all other data points will be plotted against.
• Columns B, C, and D are our three distinct data series (or "Legend Entries"). Each column contains the values that will become a line or a set of bars on our graph.
• The headers ("Month," "Organic Search," etc.) are crucial because Excel will automatically use them to create the chart legend and axis labels, making your graph readable from the start.

With your data structured like this, you’re ready to create your chart.

Method 1: Create a Chart with Multiple Data Sets from Scratch

This is the most direct method if you're starting with newly organized data. Excel’s “Recommended Charts” feature is very good at understanding clean data and will often generate the perfect chart for you with just a few clicks.

Step 1: Select Your Data Range

Click and drag your mouse to highlight the entire data set you want to include in the graph. In our example, you would select from cell A1 down to D7, making sure to include all the headers and data points.

Step 2: Insert a New Chart

With your data selected, navigate to the Insert tab on the Ribbon at the top of Excel. In the "Charts" section, you have a few options:

• Recommended Charts: This is almost always the best place to start. Excel analyzes your data structure and suggests several appropriate chart types. For our data, it would likely recommend a Line Chart or a Clustered Column Chart, both of which are excellent for comparing values over time.
• Specific Chart Type: If you know you want a specific chart, like a line graph, you can click on the dedicated icon for that chart type. For comparing trends, a Line with Markers chart is often a great choice. For comparing direct values side-by-side each month, a Clustered Column Chart works very well.

Step 3: Choose Your Chart and Click OK

Select your preferred chart from the options. Excel will immediately place a new chart on your worksheet, already plotted with your three data series. "Organic Search," "Social Media," and "Paid Ads" will each appear as a distinctly colored line or set of columns, and a legend will be automatically generated to identify them.

Step 4: Customize Your Chart for Clarity

The default chart is a great start, but you should refine it. Click on the chart, and you'll see a plus sign (+) icon appear on the right side. Click this to add or edit Chart Elements like:

• Chart Title: Change "Chart Title" to something descriptive, like "Monthly Website Traffic by Source."
• Axis Titles: Add titles for the vertical and horizontal axes (e.g., "Number of Sessions" and "Month") to give your viewers full context.
• Legend: Ensure the legend is placed where it’s readable (top, right, or bottom are common choices).

Method 2: Add Another Data Set to an Existing Graph

What if you already have a chart showing organic and social traffic, and now you want to add another data series - for example, "Email Marketing" - to the same graph? There are a couple of very easy ways to do this.

The Quick and Easy Way: Copy and Paste

This method feels like magic and is by far the fastest way to add a new series.

1. Add your new data to your source table. For example, add an "Email Marketing" column right next to your other data.
2. Highlight the new column of data, including its header.
3. Copy the selected data by pressing Ctrl+C (or Cmd+C on a Mac).
4. Click once on the existing chart to select it. You’ll see a border appear around it.
5. Paste the data by pressing Ctrl+V (or Cmd+V on a Mac).

That’s it! Excel will instantly add the new series to your chart, assign it a new color, and update the legend. This method is incredibly efficient for quick additions.

The "Select Data Source" Method (More Control)

If the copy-paste method doesn’t work or you want more control over the process, you can add a data series manually through the "Select Data" dialog box.

1. Right-click anywhere in the chart area and choose Select Data... from the context menu.
2. A dialog box will appear showing all the data inputs for your current chart. On the left, you’ll see "Legend Entries (Series)." This is a list of every data set plotted on your graph.
3. Click the Add button.
4. A new window pops up called "Edit Series." You'll see two fields to fill in:
5. Click OK. You'll now see your new data series listed with the others. Click OK again to close the dialog box.

Your chart will update to include the new data series you just defined.

Advanced Trick: Charting Multiple Data Sets with a Secondary Axis

Sometimes you need to compare two metrics that operate on completely different scales. For example, let's say you want to plot monthly Sales Revenue (which is in tens of thousands of dollars) against the number of Units Sold (which is in the hundreds). Or maybe you want to compare traffic sessions to a conversion rate percentage.

If you plot these on the same axis, the smaller numbers will be dwarfed and appear as a flat line at the bottom of the chart, making them impossible to analyze. The solution is a combination chart with a secondary axis.

Step 1: Create a Normal Chart with Both Data Sets

First, create your chart just as you normally would, including both data series (e.g., Sales Revenue and Units Sold).

Step 2: Change the Series Chart Type

Right-click directly on the data series that’s appearing flat (the one with the smaller values, in our case “Units Sold”). From the context menu, select Change Series Chart Type...

Step 3: Create the Combo Chart

A new "Change Chart Type" window will open. At the bottom, you'll see a panel listing all your chart's data series. Find your "Units Sold" series.

• To its right, you’ll see a checkbox labeled Secondary Axis. Go ahead and check it.
• You can also change the chart type for this series. For instance, it often looks great to show revenue as a column chart and the secondary metric (like Units Sold) as a line chart overlay. This makes the two series even easier to distinguish. You can select "Line" from the dropdown next to the "Units Sold" series.

Step 4: Click OK and Customize

Once you click OK, your chart will transform. The "Sales Revenue" stays plotted against the left vertical axis (measured in $), while a new vertical axis appears on the right that is scaled for "Units Sold." The “Units Sold” line will now float above the columns, properly displaying its trends.

This technique is incredibly useful when comparing correlated data with varying magnitudes.

Final Thoughts

Displaying multiple data sets on a single graph is an art and a science. It requires careful consideration of how your data is presented to ensure your viewers can easily understand the relationships and trends being shown. Excel offers several tools to help with this, from recommended chart types to advanced options like secondary axes.

Now, you know how to use these steps to create a comprehensive visualization in Excel, whether you’re starting from scratch or adding to an existing chart. Visual aids greatly enhance your ability to convey information clearly and effectively. Embrace these techniques to take your data presentations to the next level.