Sparklines

Sparklines are feature that is used to visualize small data series. These are charts contained in the cell, which can be columns, loss/gain columns, or line charts. This new option was released in Excel 2010 and it quickly found its way into the development of corporate reports, where key performance indicators or business trends should be emphasized. It allows us to easily see potential problems within beautiful and clear reports.

In order to use the sparklines we need to have at least one data series, which consists of several cells in one row. In our case, they have a little more and represent quarterly sales of certain types of alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages. By positioning the Insert ribbon we can select one of three types of quick charts: Line, Column, Win/Loss columns. Selecting one of these options will open a dialog box with two fields. In the first field (Data Range) we enter the range of cells from where the data series is based on which we make a sparkline. In the Location Range we enter a cell where it should appear. If we have more rows of data, it is possible to select all of them in the first field, and in the second specify the range of cells where quick charts should appear. Or, it’s possible to create a sparkline for just one cell, and by copying into cells below, additional sparklines will be automatically generated.

When we make a sparkline, then click on the cell where it is located, the context ribbon Design will appear, and it contains a number of options for setting up sparklines. First of all, there is a group of options Edit Data that serves to change the data source and destination, and to set how it will be displayed in a value chart with a zero or an empty cell. Then, we can change the type of chart by clicking on the appropriate option. And there are optional fields, which allow us to point out the highest point, the lowest point, the negative values, the first or the last values ​​in the chart. In the case of a quick chart line it is possible to emphasize points with values ​​(Markers). There is also the possibility of changing the style of the quick chart, the color of the chart, or the color of the marker. In the end, you can change axis data, define groups, or abort groups of quick charts, as well as delete individual charts or groups.