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Area Sparklines

Area sparklines are small charts that show trends over time or across categories. They fill the area below the line to emphasize the magnitude of values.

When to use area sparklines​

  • Visualizing overall volume or magnitude: Display both trends and totals—such as sales revenue—where larger areas represent higher values.
  • Comparing relative differences: Use the shaded area to highlight low or high periods, making patterns or outliers easier to spot.
  • Emphasizing positive and negative values: Show how data fluctuates above and below a baseline to help highlight gains or losses.

Create an area sparkline​

  1. On the Insert tab, select Sparklines.
  2. Under Line Sparkline, choose Insert Area Sparkline. The Create Sparklines dialog opens.
  3. In Data Range, select a continuous range of cells (in the same row or column).
  4. In Location Range, select the cell where the sparkline will appear.
  5. Click Ok. The sparkline is inserted into the selected cell.

Edit an area sparkline​

  1. Select the area sparkline in your workbook.
  2. On the Sparkline tab, select Settings. The AreaSparkline Setting dialog opens.
  3. Adjust the parameters, then click Ok.
  4. Copy and paste the sparkline cell to duplicate the configuration in another location, as needed.

Area sparkline parameters​

The area sparkline formula supports the following format:
=AREASPARKLINE(points, min, max, line1, line2, colorPositive, colorNegative)

ParameterDescription
Line 1(Optional) Adds a horizontal reference line at a specified value. Hidden by default.
Line 2(Optional) Adds a second horizontal reference line. Hidden by default.
Minimum Value(Optional) Sets the minimum value for the sparkline. Defaults to the lowest value in the range.
Maximum Value(Optional) Sets the maximum value for the sparkline. Defaults to the highest value in the range.
PointsDefines the range of cells containing values, such as D1:D6. Invalid or empty values are treated as 0.
Positive ColorSet the fill color for positive values. Defaults is #787878 (RGB: 120, 120, 120).
Negative ColorSet the fill color for negative values. Defaults is #CB0000 (RGB: 203, 0, 0).