Area Chart in Google Sheets

What is Area Chart in Google Sheets?

An area chart in Google Sheets is a graph that uses shaded areas to show how data trends over time. The area chart is just like a line chart; however, it contains shaded areas below the lines. These charts show us the magnitude of any trends we are looking for by shading below the lines. The shaded area represents the volume of the data underneath the lines. One can stack area charts to show how parts of a whole relate to one another over time.

Let us look at a simple example below. The area chart is filled below each line with a color code for each data set. We compare the sales of tables and mobiles across a few months and apply the area chart under Insert -> Chart. Choose the area chart from the list of options. Thus, area charts are used to track sales trends over time.

Area charts are used to visualize how data changes over a period and are useful for time-series data. They help in checking the magnitude of changes.
Area charts fill the space under the line with color.
There are various types of area charts in Google Sheets which include Stacked area chart, a 100% stacked area chart, a stacked stepped area chart and a 100% Stacked Stepped Area Chart.
A Stacked Area Chart displays multiple data series that are stacked on top of one other, showing how each category contributes to the total over time.

Types

It’s not just one type; different types of area charts are available in Google Sheets. Let us look at each of them below.

Area chart (basic): A normal area chart is one that fills the space beneath the line. It can be used to display trends over time for a single data series.
Stacked Area Chart: This chart stacks multiple data series one above the other. This makes it easy to visualize the extent to which each category contributes to the total over time.
100% Stacked Area Chart: It is similar to the stacked area chart. However, the area values are normalized to a percentage. Thus, you can visualize the relative percentage of each data series over time.
Stepped Area Chart: A stepped area chart displays data points as connected lines, creating a stepped appearance. It is used to show trends and changes in data over time.
Stacked Stepped Area Chart: A stacked stepped area chart displays related data values on top of each other, with a stepped appearance. It is helpful in showcasing trends in data with discrete changes.
100% Stacked Stepped Area Chart: A 100% stacked stepped area chart shows the relationship of the part to the whole. Here, the cumulative total isn’t important.

How to Create Area Chart in Google Sheets?

In this section, we will show you how to make and edit an area chart in Google Sheets. Area charts are useful for displaying data sets with multiple categories, and the shaded areas between lines can help to showcase the differences between the categories.

Step 1: Let us select the data to display in the area chart. Here, we have some data regarding the number of courses selected by students in 3 subjects across 4 quarters.

Step 2: Go to the Insert option in the menu and select Charts.

Step 3: In the Chart Editor that appears on the right, under the tab Setup, select the Area Chart type. Here, we select the stacked area chart.

You can customize the fields, chart titles, labels, etc., in the ‘ Setup’ and ‘Customize’ options under the Chart Editor.

Thus, the Area charts allow you to plot multiple data sets on a single chart. Thus, you can compare the values and identify patterns and trends. The areas that are shaded can also help to showcase the differences between the categories.

Examples

Let us look at a few area charts in Google Sheets examples in this section.

Example #1 – Display Monthly Revenue Growth for Different Product Categories

Let us compare the monthly revenue growth of some products in a bakery. We have the data for January to June. Let us use the area chart to understand their sales performance.

Step 1: Let us enter the data in a spreadsheet. Now, select the data we want to display in the area chart. Here we select A1:D7.

Step 2: Go to the Insert option in the menu and select the option Charts.

Step 3: In the Chart Editor on the right, select the Area Chart type. Here, we select the simple area chart.

Step 4: Let us customize the chart and make any required changes. Here, we change the color used to represent Eclairs.

Under Customize, go to Series, choose “Eclairs,” and change the Line color.

You can customize the fields, chart titles, labels, etc., in the ‘ Setup’ and ‘Customize’ options under the Chart Editor.

Example #2 – Show the Market Share of Different Companies in an Industry Over the Years

In this example, we have a few fictitious pharma companies and their performance over five years. Let us use an area chart to study their performance.

Step 1: Let us enter the data that represents a few pharma companies from 2020 to 2024.

Step 2: Select the data range. It is including the headers.

Step 3: Click on Insert, then click on Chart. Google Sheets will automatically insert a chart, which may not be an area chart. In the Chart Editor, under Setup, find the Chart type and choose select Area Chart from the dropdown options.

Step 4: You can see how you get a wonderful area chart representing the performance of the companies.

The area chart helps compare the performance of each of the companies. If the area for a company, here PharmaC Inc, increases over time, it shows that it is gaining market share.

The total area under the curve shows the entire industry market share. Hence, the relative size of each company’s area will show its proportion in the industry.

Example #3

We can use the area chart to compare different sales details of different companies, website traffic comparisons, and differentiate between stock prices. We have to compare the stock prices of Company A and Company B.

Step 1: We have the details as shown below. Select the table.

Step 2: Click on Insert in the top menu, then click on the option Chart.

In the Chart Editor, under Setup, find the Chart type and choose Area Chart from the dropdown options.

We get a stacked area chart that shows how the market share of each company changes over time. The area covered represents each company’s contributions. Company A has shown better growth and is performing better than Company B over the weeks.

Important Things to Note

Use the stacked area chart Google Sheets to visualize how the different data series contribute to the total over time.
As area charts fill the space under the line, we get an idea of the magnitude of values, thus making it easier to understand the volume associated with the trend.
A 100% Stacked Area Chart is used to normalize the area chart to 100%. It shows each data series as a percentage of the total.
Area charts work well with both small and large datasets.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What are the advantages of using an area chart in Google Sheets?

Some of the biggest advantages of using an area chart include:

1. These charts allow you to plot multiple data sets at once on a single chart, thereby making it easy to compare them and identify trends.
2. The filled-in areas of the area chart are useful in drawing to specific changing values, thus highlighting the data.
3. It is one of the simplest charts which is easy to read and hence can be used in reports and presentations.
4. They are effective in showing changes in data over time and also understand the magnitude of the changes.

What is the difference between an area Chart and a line Chart?

Though both the area and the line charts show data trends over time, they have a few differences.

The area chart fills the area below the line showcasing the magnitude of the changes.
The line chart shows only the line connecting the data points. The focus is more on the trend than the magnitude of the data

How to interpret a Stacked Area Chart?

A Stacked Area Chart is used to show the cumulative value of the data series over time. The width of each colored area represents the value for that particular category at each point in time. The total area represents the sum of all the categories.

Download Template

This article must help understand Area Chart in Google Sheets with its formulas and examples. You can download the template here to use it instantly.

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Area Chart in Google Sheets