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Beyond Bar Charts: Advanced Excel Charting Techniques for Business Insights

"Beyond Bar Charts" is a hands-on training session that takes your Excel charting skills from functional to fantastic. It’s not about knowing every menu option—it’s about using the right chart at the right time to deliver insights that matter.Participants will learn how to create combination charts (e.g., budget vs actual with bar and line), use dual axes without confusion, apply custom data labels, and introduce smart formatting techniques that enhance clarity. We’ll also look at how to use chart elements intentionally: choosing the right markers, adjusting scales, and using layout features to keep things readable and relevant.The session is rich with examples from real-world business reporting and includes best practices for storytelling with data. By the end, you’ll be equipped to make charts that don’t just display data—they drive understanding.Areas Covered Creating combination charts (bar + line, stacked + line)Using a secondary axis effectively and ethicallyAdding dynamic data labels linked to formulasCustomising markers, colours, and legendsChoosing the right chart type for the storyEnhancing interactivity with drop-downs or dynamic rangesSimplifying complex data visuallyDo’s and don’ts for data storytelling in ExcelWho Should Attend Business AnalystsFinancial PlannersOperations ManagersHR Data AnalystsSales and Marketing ProfessionalsReporting SpecialistsProject ManagersAnyone responsible for presenting data to decision-makersWhy Should You Attend Still using the same bar charts in every report? That’s a fast track to being overlooked. When everyone’s swiping past slides or skimming spreadsheets, a smart, well-constructed chart can stop them in their tracks.The problem? Most people don’t know how to get Excel to do what they really need:A line chart to show actuals alongside a budget bar?Dynamic labels that update when data changes?Custom markers that draw attention to wins (or risks)?Without the right skills, your data stays flat.This webinar shows you how to make charts that do more than look pretty. They tell a story, highlight action points, and support better decisions. If you’ve ever struggled to show “what happened and why” in a visual way, this session will change the way you report forever.Topic Background Most professionals can whip up a basic bar chart in Excel—but when it comes to showing deeper insights like comparisons, trends over time, and performance against targets, basic visuals just won’t cut it. Clients, managers, and stakeholders need more than numbers—they need stories they can see.That’s where advanced charting techniques come in.This webinar was designed to fill the gap between basic chart creation and true visual storytelling. It equips participants with practical skills to create smarter, clearer, and more impactful charts using tools they already have in Excel. Whether you're in finance, sales, HR, or operations, if your job involves reporting, this is for you.

"Beyond Bar Charts" is a hands-on training session that takes your Excel charting skills from functional to fantastic. It’s not about knowing every menu option—it’s about using the right chart at the right time to deliver insights that matter.

Participants will learn how to create combination charts (e.g., budget vs actual with bar and line), use dual axes without confusion, apply custom data labels, and introduce smart formatting techniques that enhance clarity. We’ll also look at how to use chart elements intentionally: choosing the right markers, adjusting scales, and using layout features to keep things readable and relevant.

The session is rich with examples from real-world business reporting and includes best practices for storytelling with data. By the end, you’ll be equipped to make charts that don’t just display data—they drive understanding.

Areas Covered    

  • Creating combination charts (bar + line, stacked + line)
  • Using a secondary axis effectively and ethically
  • Adding dynamic data labels linked to formulas
  • Customising markers, colours, and legends
  • Choosing the right chart type for the story
  • Enhancing interactivity with drop-downs or dynamic ranges
  • Simplifying complex data visually
  • Do’s and don’ts for data storytelling in Excel

Who Should Attend    

  • Business Analysts
  • Financial Planners
  • Operations Managers
  • HR Data Analysts
  • Sales and Marketing Professionals
  • Reporting Specialists
  • Project Managers
  • Anyone responsible for presenting data to decision-makers

Why Should You Attend 

Still using the same bar charts in every report? That’s a fast track to being overlooked. When everyone’s swiping past slides or skimming spreadsheets, a smart, well-constructed chart can stop them in their tracks.

The problem? Most people don’t know how to get Excel to do what they really need:

  • A line chart to show actuals alongside a budget bar?
  • Dynamic labels that update when data changes?
  • Custom markers that draw attention to wins (or risks)?

Without the right skills, your data stays flat.

This webinar shows you how to make charts that do more than look pretty. They tell a story, highlight action points, and support better decisions. If you’ve ever struggled to show “what happened and why” in a visual way, this session will change the way you report forever.

Topic Background    

Most professionals can whip up a basic bar chart in Excel—but when it comes to showing deeper insights like comparisons, trends over time, and performance against targets, basic visuals just won’t cut it. Clients, managers, and stakeholders need more than numbers—they need stories they can see.

That’s where advanced charting techniques come in.

This webinar was designed to fill the gap between basic chart creation and true visual storytelling. It equips participants with practical skills to create smarter, clearer, and more impactful charts using tools they already have in Excel. Whether you're in finance, sales, HR, or operations, if your job involves reporting, this is for you.