Line charts—a timeless tool for visualizing trends over time. Whether tracking quarterly sales growth, monitoring temperature fluctuations, or analyzing website traffic patterns, line charts turn cluttered spreadsheets into clear visual stories.

Yet, crafting a polished line chart in Excel can feel tedious. Selecting the right data range, adjusting axes, and fine-tuning design elements often eat up valuable time.

This is where AI-powered tools step in to revolutionize your workflow. Platforms like Picdoc automates chart creation using text prompts , while Bricks cleans and organizes messy datasets in seconds. Meanwhile, LiveChatAI generates line chart with AI in seconds based on the content you input.

In this guide, you’ll learn:

Excel essentials: A foolproof 5-step process to build accurate line charts.

AI shortcuts: How tools like Picdoc and LiveChatAI slash hours off data visualization.

Step-by-step Guide on Making a Line Graph in Excel

1. Open a workbook in Microsoft Excel. You can use an existing project or create a new spreadsheet where you can to add a line graph.

2. Input your data.

Enter your data showing trends over time into the spreadsheet.

Label the first column "Months," the second column "Revenue($)".

3.Select your data.

Highlight the data you want to include in your graph.

Click and drag your cursor over the columns and rows that contain your data. Make sure you select the headers too.

4.Click the Insert tab in Microsoft Excel in the top menu bar. Then click the Line Chart Icon shown in the red frame.

5. Insert the Line Chart.

Click the line chart button and you will see four kinds of line charts including 2-D line, 3-D line, 2-D area, 3-D area. Here we choose the fourth one of 2-D line-Line with Markers. This chart type is used to show trends over time(years, months, and days) or categories. Use it when the order of categories is important or there are few data points.

Click the chart icon shown in the red frame and you will see the chart inserted in the excel.

6. Customize your chart.

With the chart selected, the Chart Design tab (visible only when the chart is active) on the top right corner offers tools to add chart element, quick layout and move chart to other sheets.

Add chart element: There are various elements of the chart for you to choose, including axis titles, chart title, data labels, data table, gridlines, legend and so on. You can decide whether or not to add these elements to your chart.

Quick layout: If you are tired of add elements one by one. Quick layout is a better choice, which puts numerous elements together in one set. You can choose your preferred layout based on your needs.

Move chart: You can also change the location of the chart. Click Move Chart and choose where you want the chart to be placed. It can be placed in any sheet you prefer.

With all the steps above, I believe you now know how to create a line graph in Excel. But in this data-driven and fast-paced world, creating a chart manually is too slow and troublesome to allow for high-efficient work. Therefore, I highly recommend you to use AI text-to-diagram generation tools to supercharge your graph making.

The Role of AI in Future Data Visualization

AI's role in data visualization is just beginning to unfold. As technology advances, we can expect even more sophisticated tools that not only create charts but also predict trends and offer deeper insights.

Think about the possibilities: AI that suggests the best visualization type based on the data's nature, or tools that automatically update graphs as new data comes in. The future is bright, and AI is at the forefront of making data more meaningful and accessible.

While it's hard to predict exactly where AI will take us, one thing's for sure—it's going to make our jobs as data interpreters a whole lot easier.

The more you engage with AI tools, the more you'll discover their potential to enhance your work, making data management not only easier but also more insightful.

Powerful AI-driven Tools for Chart Generation

Picdoc

PicDoc is an outstanding tool designed to streamline data visualization by leveraging AI-powered text-to-chart conversion. It swiftly converts textual data into engaging charts.

Here are the step-by-step instructions on how to generate a graph from the text.

Step 1: Visit the PicDoc website

First, go to the PicDoc website. If you are a first-time visitor, you need to sign up for an account using your email or Google account. Once you have completed the registration process, you can log in with your new account. After logging in, click on "Get PicDoc for Free" to begin exploring the amazing features of PicDoc.

Step 2: Paste your text

Click New Doc button on the top left corner on the canvas. Then you can just paste the text you want to generate a chart from on the canvas or use the embedded AI to generate a text related to the topic you want from zero.

Step 3: Generate visuals

Select the text, click the blue button on the left side of the text and PicDoc will instantly turn contents into charts, infographics, flowcharts and so on based on your text.

Step 4: Customize your diagram

When generating visuals from texts, I was really amazed by the large amount of different visual styles I can choose from. What’s more, you can easily adjust fonts and texts to match the theme and your preferences.

Step 5: Export your visuals

After getting the graph you are satisfied with, you can export the visual in PNG and PDF to use it in other software like Google slides, MS Office and so on.

Strengths:

• Multilingual Magic
  Create charts in any language—Picdoc seamlessly adapts. Input text in French, Spanish, Mandarin, or other languages, and the tool generates perfectly aligned visuals, as shown in the example below.

For Example: Paste French text like "Les ventes ont augmenté de 30% au troisième trimestre, dépassant les objectifs" → Picdoc auto-generates a labeled bar chart in French.

This function makes it ideal for global teams with members coming from different countries and cultures, helping people easily overcoming language barriers.

• 100% Free
  Enjoy unlimited chart creation, editing, and exports (PNG/PDF) at zero cost. No trials, no hidden fees—just pro-level visuals for everyone.

You can copy the link and share the doc with others. When you are brainstorming ideas or finishing a presentation with your partners, which ensures that team members are on the same page.

Click here to give Picdoc a try!

Line Graph Maker

If you are tired of the clunky steps of creating a line graph in Excel, Line Graph Maker is definitely a go-to tool for you. Line Graph Maker (linegraphmaker.co) is a web-based tool designed for creating clear and customizable line graphs effortlessly, ideal for students, educators, researchers, and professionals.

When creating a line graph in Line Graph Maker, all you need to do is typing the graph title, data labels and data values you need in the box and you will see a line chart is generated below.

You can download the line chart in PNG, JPG or SVG.

Bricks

Bricks is a versatile data visualization tool that specializes in creating intuitive and interactive line charts. Its extensive template library make it accessible to users of all skill levels, from beginners to experienced data analysts.

User-Friendly Interface: Bricks provides an intuitive drag-and-drop interface for creating line charts. Users can easily add data points, adjust chart elements, and customize the overall design without needing advanced technical skills.

Template Library: Bricks offers a wide range of pre-built line chart templates that cater to different industriesincluding realestate, education, health care, construction, hospitality, science, manufacturing, government, etc.and use cases, covering reporting, project management, sales&CRM, marketing and so on. These templates can help you get started quickly and ensure that their charts meet professional standards.

Interactive Features: Bricks allows users to add interactive elements to their line charts, such as tooltips and clickable data points. This enhances user engagement and provides more detailed information when users interact with the chart.

Export Options: Bricks supports multiple export formats, including PDF, PNG, and SVG. Users can easily share their line charts with colleagues or incorporate them into presentations and reports.

Creating line graphs in Excel is straightforward: organize data, select ranges, and insert a line chart. Customize axes, labels, and styles for clarity. While Excel remains a reliable classic, AI tools like PicDoc (instantly converts text to charts) does simplify the process for non-technical users. Click here to try Picdoc for free right now!