Chart & Visualization Issues

How to Add Separate Trendlines for Multiple Data Series in Excel

Muhammad Talha Oct 10, 2026 869 views

Question details

The user wants to display individual trendlines for different groups or locations within a single Excel chart instead of one overarching trendline.

How to Add Separate Trendlines for Multiple Data Series in Excel

Product: Microsoft Excel
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Creating a chart containing data from multiple categories and attempting to analyze the specific trend of each individual category.
Observed behavior: Excel defaults to creating a single trendline across all data points because the data groups are currently combined into a single continuous data series.

Before you start

Ensure your dataset is organized properly by assigning separate columns for the X and Y values of each distinct category or location before attempting to modify the chart.

Solution 1Recommended

Separate Data Series and Add Individual Trendlines

Reformat your dataset so each category acts as its own data series, enabling Excel to calculate and plot a distinct trendline for each.

By default, if all your X and Y values are stacked in two single columns, Excel treats them as one data series and plots a single overall trendline. To get individual trendlines, you must separate the data into individual series prior to applying the trendline feature.

Reorganize the Chart Data

Arrange your worksheet data so that each location or category is represented by its own dedicated set of X and Y columns.

Update or Recreate the Chart

Highlight the newly separated dataset, navigate to the Insert tab on the ribbon, and insert your preferred chart type, such as a Scatter plot.

Apply Trendline to the First Series

Click directly on the data points representing the first series in your chart. Then, go to Chart Design > Add Chart Element > Trendline > Linear.

Repeat for the Remaining Series

Select the data points for the second series and follow the same path (Chart Design > Add Chart Element > Trendline > Linear) to apply its distinct trendline. Do this for all subsequent series.

Separate Data Series and Add Individual Trendlines

Visual Clarity: Once added, you can right-click each trendline to format its color and dash type, making it easier to distinguish the trends of different locations.

Advanced Charting Alternative

Easily Manage Multiple Trendlines with WPS Spreadsheet

WPS Spreadsheet provides an intuitive and powerful charting tool, allowing you to seamlessly manage complex data series, plot separate trendlines, and customize your data visualizations effortlessly.

1. Organize Your Data: Open your file in WPS Spreadsheet and structure your data so each category is in a distinct column.
2. Insert a Chart: Select your entire dataset, go to the Insert tab, and choose your desired chart type.
3. Add the First Trendline: Right-click on the first data series plotted on your chart and select 'Add Trendline' from the context menu.
4. Complete the Process: Right-click on the other data series sequentially and add their respective trendlines in the same manner.

Effortlessly add and customize individual trendlines for complex multi-series chartsFully compatible with Microsoft Excel (.xlsx, .xls) formats and chart layoutsFree, lightweight, and user-friendly interface designed for rapid data analysis

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does Excel only let me add one trendline for my entire chart?

This occurs because your data points are combined into a single data series within your worksheet. Excel calculates trendlines on a per-series basis. To fix this, you must separate your data into individual X and Y columns for each distinct category.

How can I format each trendline differently to tell them apart?

After adding the separate trendlines, right-click on any individual trendline and choose 'Format Trendline'. From the format pane, you can adjust the color, thickness, and dash type to uniquely distinguish it from the other trendlines on your chart.

How do I display the R-squared value for each separate trendline?

Double-click the specific trendline you want to analyze to open the Format Trendline pane. Scroll to the bottom of the options and check the box labeled 'Display R-squared value on chart'. You will need to repeat this step for each individual trendline.

Excel & Data Problems