Chart & Visualization Issues

How to Create a Cumulative Completion Line Chart in Excel

Emma Brown Oct 7, 2026 870 views

Question details

The user needs to create a line chart in Excel that displays a running total or cumulative sum of completed items over time.

How to Create a Cumulative Completion Line Chart in Excel

Product: Microsoft Excel
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Tracking daily item completions and visualizing the cumulative project progress over a series of dates.
Observed behavior: A line chart visually representing the cumulative total, where each day's count is continuously added to the sum of the previous days.

Before you start

Ensure your data is organized chronologically, with dates in one column and the daily completed counts in the adjacent column, without any blank rows in between.

Solution 1Recommended

Calculate the Running Total and Insert a Line Chart

Use a mixed reference SUM formula to calculate cumulative totals before selecting your data to insert the line chart.

To plot a cumulative chart, Excel first requires the raw data to be calculated as a running total. By locking the starting cell reference in a SUM formula, the calculation range expands automatically as it moves down your data table.

Prepare the Data Table

Create a summary table with your timeline (e.g., Dates) in Column A and your daily completed counts in Column B.

Enter the Cumulative SUM Formula

In Column C (Cumulative Total), click on cell C2 and enter the formula: =SUM($B$2:B2). The dollar signs lock the starting cell ($B$2) so the range expands properly.

Apply the Formula to All Rows

Click and drag the fill handle (the small square at the bottom-right corner of cell C2) down to the end of your data range to calculate the cumulative total for all dates.

Insert the Line Chart

Select the Date column (A) and the newly created Cumulative Total column (C). Hold the Ctrl key to select non-adjacent columns. Go to the 'Insert' tab on the ribbon, click on 'Insert Line or Area Chart', and choose a standard 2D Line Chart.

Calculate the Running Total and Insert a Line Chart

Format Your Chart: Once generated, you can click the '+' icon next to the chart to add data labels, adjust axis titles, and change the chart style for better readability.

Create Charts Easily with WPS Spreadsheet

Build Cumulative Line Charts Seamlessly in WPS Office

WPS Spreadsheet provides a highly compatible and intuitive interface for data visualization. You can use the exact same formulas and charting tools as Excel to build your cumulative line charts effortlessly.

1. Open Your Data in WPS: Launch WPS Spreadsheet and open your workbook containing the dates and daily completion counts.
2. Calculate the Running Total: Use the =SUM($B$2:B2) formula in a new column to calculate the cumulative sum, and double-click the fill handle to apply it down.
3. Generate the Line Chart: Highlight your Date and Cumulative columns, navigate to the 'Insert' tab, and click the 'Line Chart' icon to visualize your progress.

Fully compatible with Microsoft Excel (.xlsx) file formatsIdentical formula syntax including mixed reference SUM functionsRich library of built-in 2D and 3D chart templatesFree, lightweight, and fast-loading spreadsheet application

microsoft office alternative - wps office

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is my cumulative line chart dropping to zero at the end?

This happens when the formula references future dates that do not yet have completion data. To fix this, you can use an IF statement like =IF(B2="","",SUM($B$2:B2)) to hide zeroes, or dynamically adjust your chart's data range to only include past dates.

Can I show both daily totals and the cumulative total on the same chart?

Yes, you can visualize both by creating a Combo Chart. Select your Date, Daily Count, and Cumulative columns, go to Insert > Combo Chart. Set the Daily Count as a Clustered Column and the Cumulative Total as a Line Chart mapped to a Secondary Axis.

Why isn't my SUM formula calculating correctly when dragged down?

Verify your absolute and relative cell references. The first part of the range must be locked with dollar signs (e.g., $B$2), while the second part must remain relative (e.g., B2). If both are locked, the formula will simply repeat the first day's value.

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