How to Add a Line to a Bar Graph in Excel (Easiest Way in 2025)

In this article, we will show you how to add a line to a bar graph in Excel. Read on to learn more!

How to Add a Line to a Bar Chart in Excel

To add a line to a bar chart in Excel, follow the steps below:

1. Enter Your Data in Excel

Suppose you have monthly sales data, and you want to overlay a trend line showing average sales per month.

2. Insert a Bar Graph

Highlight the data in Columns A and B.

Go to the Insert tab on the Ribbon. Click on the Bar Chart icon and choose your desired bar chart style (e.g., Clustered Column).

3. Add the Average Sales Line

Click on the chart to select it. Go to the Chart Design tab on the Ribbon. Click on Select Data.

In the Select Data Source dialog, click on Add to add a new data series.

For the Series name, select the cell that says “Average Sales” or type it manually (=”Average Sales”). For the Series values, select the range that contains the average sales figures in Column C. Click OK.

4. Change the New Series to a Line Chart

With the chart selected, click on the newly added series on the chart. Right-click and choose Change Series Chart Type.

In the Change Chart Type dialog, set the chart type for the average sales series to a Line Chart. Click OK.

Here’s what our bar chart looks like with the line:

We hope that you now have a better understanding of how to add a line to a bar graph in Excel. If you enjoyed this article, you might also like our articles on how to show the number and percentage in an Excel bar chart and how to add a line graph to a bar graph in Excel.