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A line chart plots values over time as connected lines, with periods on the x-axis. It’s the default choice for showing a trend and for comparing trajectories across sources, such as actuals against budget and forecast. Lines can be smooth or straight, and each series can show point markers.

Settings

The span of data the chart shows. Choose a dynamic range (Last month, YTD, LTM, Full year, Last year, or Next year) or set a Custom range. Dynamic ranges resolve against the Last close date set for the model, so they roll forward automatically as you close each period.
How periods group along the x-axis: monthly, quarterly, calendar year, fiscal year, or all.
The color palette applied to the series. Options are Ocean blue, Olive green, Sun burst, Death star, Pastel, Nature, Temperature, Dawn, Blue, Green, Orange, Red, Pink, Purple, and Gray. Override the palette on an individual series from the series settings.
The gridlines behind the chart: No grid, Horizontal only, Vertical only, or Both.
Whether lines are Smooth or Straight.
The series shown in the chart, each drawn from a row, group, or calculation in your model. For each series you can include multiple sources, such as actuals, budget, or forecast. Series order sets the legend order: the top series shows first, then the next, and so on.Click a series to reveal its own settings. When a series has a single source, click the series directly. When it has multiple sources, click the specific source to open its settings:
  • Title: the series name. Defaults to the name of the row, group, or calculation the series is drawn from; override it to rename the series.
  • Color: override the palette color assigned to this series.
  • Markers: show or hide point markers.
  • Data labels: show or hide the value labels on the series.
  • Absolute values: plot the absolute value of each point, ignoring sign.
Toggle the chart title on or off. When on:
  • Chart title: defaults to the name of the row, group, or calculation the chart is drawn from; override it with free text.
  • Align: position the title to the left, center, or right.
Toggle the legend on or off. When on:
  • Legend position: top or right. Right places the legend beside the series on the right of the chart.
Control how the x-axis displays.
  • X-axis line: show or hide the x-axis line.
  • X-axis slant: rotate the x-axis labels by 0, 15, 30, 45, 60, 75, or 90 degrees.
Control how the y-axis displays.
  • Y-axis title: set the y-axis title as free text.
  • Y-axis line: show or hide the y-axis line.
  • Y-axis unit: Auto inherits the unit from the series in the model, or override it with number, percentage, or a currency (DKK, EUR, USD, or GBP).
  • Y-axis limits: by default the axis fits the bounds of the series. Set a fixed minimum and maximum to lock the scale.
Toggle a target line on or off. When on:
  • Label: name the target.
  • Value: set the value the line sits at.
  • Color: set the color of the line.

See in action

See charts in practice in the Management report masterclass.