How to Make a Line Graph in Google Sheets: Step-by-Step Guide

The Problem

You have time-series data in Google Sheets and need to visualize trends, changes over time, or compare multiple data series using a line graph (line chart).

The Easy Way: Use SheetXAI

If you don't want to manually create charts, the fastest way is to simply ask SheetXAI.

With SheetXAI, you can open the sidebar and type:

Create a line graph showing the trend from the data in columns A and B.

SheetXAI will instantly create the line chart for you, format it properly, and place it in your sheet. It handles all the chart settings so you can focus on analyzing the trends.

The Manual Way: Step-by-Step Instructions

To create a line graph manually in Google Sheets, follow these steps:

Step 1: Prepare Your Data

Organize your data with:

• Column A: Time periods or categories (e.g., Dates, Months, Quarters, Years)
• Column B (and beyond): Values for each time period (e.g., Sales, Revenue, Temperature)

Example:

Date       | Sales
2024-01-01 | 150
2024-02-01 | 200
2024-03-01 | 180
2024-04-01 | 220

Step 2: Select Your Data

1. Click and drag to select the data range you want to chart
2. Include both the time periods and the values
3. For multiple series, select all relevant columns

Step 3: Insert the Chart

1. Click Insert in the menu bar
2. Select Chart from the dropdown menu
3. Google Sheets will automatically detect your data and create a chart

Step 4: Select Line Chart Type

1. The chart editor will appear on the right side
2. Under Chart type, click the dropdown
3. Select Line chart
4. Choose the specific line chart style:
   • Line chart: Standard line connecting data points
   • Smooth line chart: Curved lines between points
   • Combo chart: Combine line with bars or other chart types

Step 5: Customize Chart Settings

In the chart editor, customize your line graph:

Setup Tab:

• Data range: Adjust which cells are included
• X-axis: Choose which column contains your time periods
• Series: Add or remove data series, change series types

Customize Tab:

• Chart style: Colors, fonts, background, gridlines
• Chart & axis titles: Add descriptive titles
• Legend: Position and style the legend
• Series: Customize line colors, thickness, point markers
• Horizontal axis: Format date/time labels
• Vertical axis: Set value range, format numbers
• Gridlines: Show/hide and style gridlines

Step 6: Format Data Points

For better visualization:

1. In the Customize tab, click Series
2. Enable Data points to show markers on the line
3. Adjust point size and style
4. Choose different point styles for each series

Step 7: Position Your Chart

1. Click and drag the chart to move it
2. Resize by dragging the corners
3. Place on a separate sheet: Click three dots menu → Move to own sheet

Common Mistakes to Avoid

1. Wrong chart type: Line charts are for trends over time; use bar charts for comparing categories
2. Incorrect data format: Ensure dates are formatted as dates, not text
3. Too many series: Limit to 3-5 lines for readability
4. Missing labels: Always include axis titles and chart title
5. Poor axis scaling: Make sure the Y-axis scale accurately represents your data range
6. Overlapping labels: If dates overlap, adjust the axis label format or angle

Tips for Better Line Graphs

• Use consistent intervals: Keep time periods evenly spaced (daily, weekly, monthly)
• Limit series: Too many lines make the chart hard to read; consider grouping data
• Add data labels: Show values at key points for important data
• Choose appropriate colors: Use distinct colors for each line, especially for colorblind accessibility
• Smooth vs straight lines: Smooth lines look better but straight lines are more accurate
• Add trendlines: Use Google Sheets' trendline feature to show overall patterns

When to Use Line Graphs

Line graphs are perfect for:

• Time series data: Sales over months, temperature over days
• Trends: Showing increases, decreases, or patterns over time
• Comparisons: Comparing multiple metrics over the same time period
• Forecasting: Visualizing projections and actuals together

Alternative Chart Types

• Bar chart: Better for comparing categories (not time-based)
• Area chart: Similar to line chart but with filled area under the line
• Combo chart: Combine line with bars for mixed data types

Conclusion

Now you know how to create a line graph in Google Sheets manually. It's an essential skill for visualizing trends and time-series data.

But for those times when you want to create multiple charts quickly or automate the process, SheetXAI can generate line charts automatically from your data with simple commands.