Excel Question - Creating charts from data

Hi-I am creating charts from data that is over time (over the past 25 years). I would like to have my chart show vertical shaded bars where there were recessions over that period (i.e. 91-92). Is there a way to do this automatically without manually and sloppily trying to draw it in myself? Thanks!

14 Comments
 

Plot it as a secondary axis, with 1's and 0's. Then set the secondary axis maximum value to 1. The result will be shaded areas were there are 1s. Play with the formatting to adjust to your liking (such as, overlap 100% and various transparencies).

I'll do what I can to help ya'll. But, the game's out there, and it's play or get played.
 
pplstuffPlot it as a secondary axis, with 1's and 0's. Then set the secondary axis maximum value to 1. The result will be shaded areas were there are 1s. Play with the formatting to adjust to your liking (such as, overlap 100% and various transparencies).

This is right.

To the OP: wherever you want a shaded bar on your graph, put a 1 next to that specific date in time in your data series. Leave blank the other areas (where there were no recessions). Then graph that second column (where there are 1's and blanks) and change it to the secondary axis. Then change the chart type to a bar chart and adjust the secondary Y axis to a maximum of 1.

 

@hockey1316-yes. I could try that but I am doing this about 15-20 times so that would be ultra-tedious. Not a bad idea though and that will be my backup plan.

@pplstuff-never done this before. Where do I add a secondary axis?

Thanks guys

 

Only lets you rotate clockwise and stops you at 180, need to rotate counter clockwise.

 

Right-click data series, format data series, secondary axis. Excel 2007.

Else: Google

I'll do what I can to help ya'll. But, the game's out there, and it's play or get played.
 

Beatae doloremque vero et quia ut iste distinctio. Similique blanditiis amet in nemo consequatur ratione. In ad sequi pariatur ex suscipit ut. Corrupti doloremque cupiditate minus nulla eius rem. Sint accusamus quam sunt voluptatum alias. Minus rerum voluptas quisquam vero. Eaque suscipit amet dicta quo.

Career Advancement Opportunities

August 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.5%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • JPMorgan 01 98.4%
  • Goldman Sachs 01 97.8%
  • Morgan Stanley 07 97.3%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

August 2026 Investment Banking

  • Moelis & Company No 99.5%
  • Morgan Stanley 02 98.9%
  • Evercore 01 98.4%
  • Banco Santander 02 97.8%
  • BMO Capital Markets 12 97.3%

Professional Growth Opportunities

August 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.5%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • Morgan Stanley 07 98.4%
  • Goldman Sachs 01 97.8%
  • JPMorgan No 97.3%

Total Avg Compensation

August 2026 Investment Banking

  • Vice President (16) $429
  • Associates (50) $259
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (8) $210
  • 2nd Year Analyst (26) $182
  • Intern/Summer Associate (14) $159
  • 1st Year Analyst (84) $151
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (75) $101
notes
16 IB Interviews Notes

“... there’s no excuse to not take advantage of the resources out there available to you. Best value for your $ are the...”

Leaderboard

success
From 10 rejections to 1 dream investment banking internship

“... I believe it was the single biggest reason why I ended up with an offer...”