How to Add Trendline to Chart in Excel: Step-by-Step Guide

To add a trendline in Excel, first select your chart, then click the Chart Elements button (plus icon) next to the chart. Check Trendline to add it, and customize the type by right-clicking the trendline and selecting Format Trendline.

Syntax

Adding a trendline in Excel is done through the chart interface, not by a formula. The basic steps are:

• Select the chart where you want the trendline.
• Click the Chart Elements button (the plus sign) on the top-right of the chart.
• Check the Trendline box to add a default linear trendline.
• Right-click the trendline and choose Format Trendline to change its type (linear, exponential, moving average, etc.) and options.

This process works for charts like scatter plots, line charts, and column charts.

text

1. Select your chart
2. Click the Chart Elements button (+ icon)
3. Check 'Trendline'
4. Right-click trendline > Format Trendline
5. Choose trendline type and options

Example

This example shows how to add a linear trendline to a simple scatter chart of sales data over months.

Steps:

• Create a scatter chart with your data.
• Select the chart.
• Click the + icon (Chart Elements).
• Check Trendline.
• Right-click the trendline and select Format Trendline.
• Choose Linear and close the pane.

csv + instructions

Month,Sales
1,200
2,220
3,250
4,270
5,300
6,320

# After creating a scatter chart with this data:
# 1. Select the chart
# 2. Click the Chart Elements (+) button
# 3. Check 'Trendline'
# 4. Right-click the trendline > Format Trendline
# 5. Select 'Linear' trendline type

Output

A scatter chart with points for sales over months and a straight line showing the upward trend.

Common Pitfalls

• Trendline option is greyed out: This happens if the chart type does not support trendlines, like pie charts.
• Wrong trendline type: Using a linear trendline on data that fits better with exponential or polynomial can mislead analysis.
• Not selecting the chart first: You must click the chart to activate the Chart Elements button.
• Multiple data series: Make sure to add trendlines to the correct data series by selecting it before adding the trendline.

text

Wrong way:
# Adding trendline to pie chart
# Result: Trendline option disabled

Right way:
# Use scatter or line chart
# Then add trendline

Quick Reference

Step	Action	Notes
1	Select chart	Click on the chart to activate options
2	Click Chart Elements (+)	Button appears top-right of chart
3	Check Trendline	Adds default linear trendline
4	Right-click trendline	Choose Format Trendline for options
5	Select trendline type	Linear, Exponential, Polynomial, etc.

Key Takeaways

Select your chart first to enable trendline options.

Use the Chart Elements (+) button to add a trendline quickly.

Right-click the trendline to customize its type and appearance.

Not all chart types support trendlines; use scatter or line charts.

Choose the trendline type that best fits your data pattern.