Keep the sign in the picture

Summarise the right measure

Three recorded amounts of 10, −2 and 0 produce a net total of 8. A chart of only positive rows would show 10 instead. Decide whether the report measures net amount, gross positive amount or transaction count before drawing it. Each needs a different aggregation rule.

Let a visible zero explain direction

A column chart compares lengths from zero. A negative value should extend on the other side of that baseline. Removing the sign or starting every bar at the minimum value changes the visual meaning. All-zero data still needs a visible reference rather than a division-by-zero scale.

Lines connect ordered positions. YYYY-MM labels sort chronologically because the year and month widths are fixed. Arbitrary product labels do not acquire a time relationship merely because they are drawn as a line.

Read the data table too

The workshop always includes a table of the same grouped values. Use it to verify a plotted point, read a long label or inspect an empty group. Switch between line and columns, then edit one amount and confirm the grouped value changes by the same amount. A picture should be traceable to records.

Try the idea

• Build a monthly chart →
• Compare filtered totals →

References

• Microsoft: chart workflow ↗

Examples and explanations are original. Source links describe the related Excel features; native Excel workbook testing is separate from browser learning checks.