Area Chart

Description

The area chart is similar to a line chart, but with filled-in areas below each line. Colors are used to distinguish the different areas.

The customary approach involves displaying time increments on the x-axis and values on the y-axis.

Area charts can be used to draw attention to the relationship of individual data series to a larger data series. This can be done by including a line for the sum of the charted values.

Common Uses

• Emphasizing the extent of change over a period of time
• Displaying trends