Advanced Excel – Step Chart

Step chart is helpful if you need to show the info that adjustments at irregular intervals and stays fixed between the adjustments. For instance, Step chart can be utilized to point out the value adjustments of commodities, adjustments in tax charges, adjustments in rates of interest, and so on.

What’s a Step Chart?

A Step chart is a Line chart that doesn’t use the shortest distance to attach two knowledge factors. As an alternative, it makes use of vertical and horizontal strains to attach the info factors in a collection forming a step-like development. The vertical elements of a Step chart denote adjustments within the knowledge and their magnitude. The horizontal elements of a Step chart denote the fidelity of the info.

Contemplate the next knowledge −

As you possibly can observe, the info adjustments are occurring at irregular intervals.

A Step chart seems to be as proven beneath.

As you possibly can see, the info adjustments are occurring at irregular intervals. When the info stays fixed, it’s depicted by a horizontal Line, until a change happens. When a change happens, its magnitude is depicted by a vertical Line.

When you had displayed the identical knowledge with a Line chart, it could be like as proven beneath.

Variations between Line Charts and Step Charts

You may determine the next variations between a Line chart and a Step chart for a similar knowledge −

• The main focus of the Line chart is on the development of the info factors and never the precise time of the change. A Step chart exhibits the precise time of the change within the knowledge together with the development.

• A Line chart can’t depict the magnitude of the change however a Step chart visually depicts the magnitude of the change.

• Line chart can’t present the period for which there isn’t a change in an information worth. A Step chart can clearly present the period for which there isn’t a change in an information worth.

• A Line chart can typically be misleading in displaying the development between two knowledge values. For instance, Line chart can present a change between two values, whereas it’s not the case. Alternatively, a step chart can clearly show the stableness when there are not any adjustments.

• A Line chart can show a sudden enhance/lower, although the adjustments happen solely on two events. A Step chart can show solely the 2 occurred adjustments and when the adjustments really occurred.

Benefits of Step Charts

Step charts are helpful to painting any sort of knowledge that has an innate nature of knowledge adjustments at irregular intervals of time. Examples embody the next −

• Rates of interest vs. time.
• Tax charges vs. earnings.
• Electrical energy costs slabs based mostly on the Models utilized.

Preparation of Knowledge

Contemplate the next knowledge −

Step 1 − Choose the info. Copy and paste the info beneath the final row of the info.

Step 2 − Copy and paste your complete knowledge on the appropriate aspect of the info. The info seems to be as given beneath.

Step 3 − Delete the cells highlighted in purple which might be depicted within the desk of second set of knowledge given beneath.

Step 4 − Shift the cells up whereas deleting. The second set of knowledge seems to be as given beneath.

Step 5 − Copy the second set of knowledge and paste it to the appropriate aspect of it to get the third set of knowledge.

Step 6 − Choose the third set of knowledge. Kind it from the smallest to the most important values.

You have to use this sorted third set of knowledge to create the Step chart.

Making a Step Chart

Comply with the steps given beneath to create a step chart −

Step 1 − Choose the third set of knowledge and insert a Line chart.

Step 2 − Format the chart as follows −

• Click on on the chart.
• Click on the DESIGN tab on the Ribbon.
• Click on Choose Knowledge within the Knowledge group. The Choose Knowledge Supply dialog field seems.
• Choose Series1 beneath Legend Entries (Collection).
• Click on the Take away button.
• Click on the Edit button beneath Horizontal (Class) Axis Labels. Click on OK.

The Axis Labels dialog field seems.

Step 3 − Choose the cells F2:F10 beneath the Axis labels vary and click on OK.

Step 4 − Click on OK within the Choose Knowledge Supply dialog field. Your chart will look as proven beneath.

Step 5 − As you possibly can observe, some values (Years) within the Horizontal (Class) Axis are lacking. To insert the values, comply with the steps given beneath.

• Proper click on on the Horizontal Axis.
• Choose Format Axis.
• Click on AXIS OPTIONS within the Format Axis pane.
• Choose Date Axis beneath Axis Sort in AXIS OPTIONS.

As you possibly can see, the Horizontal (Class) Axis now incorporates even the lacking Years within the Class values. Additional, till a change happens, the road is horizontal. When there’s a change, its magnitude is depicted by the peak of the vertical line.

Step 6 − Deselect the Chart Title and Legend in Chart Parts.

Your Step chart is prepared.