PowerPoint TrendLine Question

  • Thread starter Thread starter Guest
  • Start date Start date
Well ... it isn't possible, but good heavens man, why would you want to?

Trend lines are used to show the height variation between two or more
points. However, if the base line and the top of the bar are both moving
(as they do in a stacked bar chart), does an upward trend mean anything?
The goal of a chart (or anything in PowerPoint) is to clarify and enlighten.
Adding a meaningless trendline will certainly get in the way of that goal.


--
Bill Dilworth
A proud member of the Microsoft PPT MVP Team
Users helping fellow users.
http://billdilworth.mvps.org
-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_
vestprog2@ Please read the PowerPoint FAQ pages.
yahoo. They answer most of our questions.
com www.pptfaq.com
..
 
I was planning to clarify/enlighten by creating a bar chart in which the bars
represent the size of the range (e.g., range from 15% to 35%) with the bottom
of the bar actually starting at 15%. Since there are multiple bars on this
chart with varying starting points, the only way I could think of doing this
is to create a stacked bar, with the bottom stack being 15% and having it
without fill or lines so that it doesn't show up. The trend line will cross
between multiple bars -- that is why I would want to do this. Thanks
 
OK, I don't see it, but if you say it will clarify, I'll believe you.

You can insert a freeform line shape (from the Draw toolbar => Autoshape =>
Line => Freeform menu) over top of the chart to mimic a trend line. Of
course you will need to manually shape it and define the points it should
intersect with the bars. Then when you have it correctly placed, group it
with the chart to avoid it being moved independently/accidentally.

Bill D.
 
Back
Top