How to Add a Horizontal Line in Excel Chart

Adding to XY Scatter Chart

Add a horizontal line to an XY Scatter chart by combining it with a column, line, or area chart. This is the simplest and most straightforward method.

Combination Chart Approach

Combine charts by adding an XY Scatter series to a column or line chart. This temporary series is later removed after serving as a marker for the horizontal line.

Column and Line Charts

In column and line charts, use the category axis similarly. The default setting is Between Tick Marks, but this can be changed to On Tick Marks when using a more complex approach with an XY Scatter series.

Lazy Approach for Column, Line, and Area Charts

The "lazy" approach involves adding a second set of columns or a second line to an existing chart to create a horizontal line. It's easier but may not extend the line fully to the chart sides.

Area Chart Considerations

For area charts, the "lazy" approach is recommended. It is simpler and achieves a comparable result to the more involved method involving an XY Scatter series. The default category axis settings differ from those in column and line charts, but the appearance of the horizontal line remains consistent.

Advanced XY Scatter Series Method

For a more refined control, use the XY Scatter series with Paste Special and change the series to a line chart type. Adjust the Axis Position property to On Tick Marks and remove the marker lines for a clean horizontal line across the chart.

Common Use Cases

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  Adding a benchmark line to compare actual sales against targets
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  Creating a baseline to track deviations in temperature readings over time
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  Displaying a minimum required score line on a test result chart
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  Illustrating a break-even point on a revenue and cost graph
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  Marking a historical average on a stock price chart over several years

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