How-to highlight maximum value in Excel charts? [Quick tip]

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Ever wanted to highlight maximum value in charts? Then this tip is for you.

highlight maximum value in Excel charts

Sample data – Highlighting max values in Charts

Let’s say you have some data like this. If you make a chart, you get the output shown to right.

sample data - highlighting values in charts
Sample Data
chart with no highlighting
Default column chart

To highlight values, just add extra series

Now the fun part begins. To highlight values in Excel charts, we simply need to add extra series with the values you want to highlight. Let’s say you want to highlight the product with maximum units sold. Add an extra column to calculate the values, as shown below.

max column added to data thru formulas

Now, our chart becomes this:

chart with max value column

But we just want one series, not two!!!

While this highlights max value in a different color, it doesn’t quite cut it. We just need to remove the original value.

Or, we could simply overlap one series on top of another, like layering.

Select the chart series and go to format series (Click on the series, press CTRL+1).

Now, set up series overlap to 100% and your maximum value is highlighted.

demo of series overlap - Excel charts

That is all. In just a few minutes and clicks, your chart highlights maximum value.

Another example – Line chart with maximum value highlighted

Here is another example of this technique. This time with a line chart.

max value in line chart highlighted

Apply this idea for other situations too…

You can apply this technique to highlight various kinds of things, like:

  • Minimum values
  • Above average values
  • Values that meet certain target
  • User selection values

FREE Download – Sample file for this tip

Click here to download sample file with few types of highlighted charts. Examine the data, formulas and chart settings to learn more.

Highlight maximum value in Excel charts – Video tutorial

More ways to customize Excel charts

This is one of the many powerful but easy techniques for working with Excel charts. Here are a few of my favorite tips on charting. Check them out to learn more.

Add a reference line to charts

Create info-graphics with shape fill options

make-info-graphics-in-excel

Forecasting using Excel charts

Learn more about highlighting values in Excel charts.

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27 Responses to “Sum of Values Between 2 Dates [Excel Formulas]”

  1. dexter says:

    I would apply a filter and use function subtotal, with option 9. This way you can see multiple views based on the filter.

  2. Michael Azer says:

    hey Chandoo, the solutions you proposed are very efficient, but if I wanted to be fancy I would do it this way .. the references are as your example workbook.
    =SUM(INDIRECT("C"&(MATCH(F5,B5:B95)+4)):INDIRECT("C"&(MATCH(F6,B5:B95)+4)))

  3. Luke M says:

    I like things simple:
    =SUMIF(B5:B95,">="&F5,C5:C95)-SUMIF(B5:B95,">"&F6,C5:C95)

  4. Matt S says:

    use something like: =SUM(OFFSET(B1,0,0,DATEDIF(A1,D1,"d")))
    and have D1 be the date that I want to sum to.

  5. Tom J says:

    In Excel 2003 (and earlier) I'd use an array formula to calculate either with nested if statements (as shown here) or with AND.

    {=SUM(IF(B5:B95>F5,IF(B5:B95<F6,C5:C95,0),0))}

    Note that I truly made this for BETWEEN the dates, not including the dates

  6. Andrew says:

    I turned the data set into a table named Dailies.
    I named the two limits StartDate and EndDate.

    And used an array formula:

    {=SUM((Dailies[Date]>=StartDate)*(Dailies[Date]<=EndDate)*Dailies[Sales])}

  7. Frank Linssen says:

    If I would still be using the old Excel I would do it as follows:

    SUMIF($B$5:$B$95,"<="&H6,$C$5:$C$95)-SUMIF($B$5:$B$95,"<"&H5,$C$5:$C$95)

    Works as simple as it is.

    Regards

  8. ikkeman says:

    =sum(index(c:c,match(startdate,c:c,1)+1):index(c:c,match(enddate,c:c,1))

  9. ikkeman says:

    =sum(index(c:c,match(startdate,b:b,1)+1):index(c:c,match(enddate,b:b,1))

  10. ram says:

    Great examples and thanks to Chandoo. You have simplified my work.

  11. Rony says:

    Hi! great tips I have found in your page, have you seen this
    http://runakay.blogspot.com/2011/10/searching-in-multiple-excel-tabs.html

  12. [...] I'm not sure I understand your question fully, but have a look at this: Sum of Values Between 2 Dates [Excel Formulas] | Chandoo.org - Learn Microsoft Excel Online [...]

  13. Amanda says:

    Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!

  14. abdalurhman says:

    =SUMIF(A2:A11;">="&B13;B2:B11)-SUMIF(A2:A11;"<"&A11;B2:B11)

  15. Eliza says:

    awesome... thank yoo Chandoo!

  16. dockhem says:

    which is most efficient and fast, if all are efficient ?

  17. jmassiah says:

    Thank you for this formula, I've just spent ages trying to find something to work on my data, I knew it would be possible! Don't care if others think there are easier/other ways to do it, you explained it so I understood it and could apply it to what I was doing so I'm happy!

  18. Nagaraju says:

    The above said example is awesome for calculating values between dates,

    can you pls let know how to calculate sale values if we have 10 sales boys for
    ex: 1,rama
    2,krishna
    3,ashwin
    4,naga
    5,suresh

    how much rama sale value between 1/jan/2015 to 10/jun/15
    how much krishna sale value between 10/jan/2015 to 15/july/2015
    i think you understood can you pls let me know the formula for how to calculate the sale between diffrent sale man sale value from master data file

    Thanks,
    Nagaraju

  19. Viv says:

    Hi

    I have a list of people's names in column A, I have a list of dates in column B which records the dates they have been off sick, in column C I have either 1 if it is a full sick day or 0.5 if it is a half day.

    What I would like to do is to add up the number of dates a specific person has been off within two dates.

    For example, I want to look at my list of names and to find Joe Bloggs (column A), then add up all his sick days (column C). The start date will be in cell E1 and the end date will be in F1.

    If this possible using SUMIFS?

    List of names are in range A2:A100

    List of dates in B2:B100

    List of sick days (either 0.5 or 1 in C2:C100

    The start date is in cell E2

    The end date is in cell F2

    Your help would be greatly appreciated.

    • Loknathan says:

      Yes, with the help of SUMIFS you can have the solution.
      Note: you need have an extra col. D2 where you will input Name of the person.
      =SUMIFS(C2:C100,A2:A100,D2,C2:C100,">="&E2,C2:C100,"<"&F2)

      Col. A Col. B Col. C Col.D Col. E Col. F
      Name Date Sales
      ABC 28-Jun-11 1 MNO 28-Jun-11 25-Sep-11
      XYZ 29-Jun-11 0.5
      MNO 30-Jun-11 1
      PQR 1-Jul-11 1

      • Loknathan says:

        Typo ERROR / Correction in formula:
        Yes, with the help of SUMIFS you can have the solution.
        Note: you need have an extra col. D2 where you will input Name of the person.
        =SUMIFS(C2:C100,A2:A100,D2,B2:B100,">="&E2,B2:B100,"<"&F2)

  20. Viv says:

    Hi

    I have a list of people's names in column A, I have a list of dates in column B which records the dates they have been off sick, in column C I have either 1 if it is a full sick day or 0.5 if it is a half day.

    What I would like to do is to add up the number of dates a specific person has been off within two dates.

    For example, I want to look at my list of names and to find Joe Bloggs (column A), then add up all his sick days (column C). The start date will be in cell E1 and the end date will be in F1.

    If this possible using SUMIFS?

    List of names are in range A2:A100

    List of dates in B2:B100

    List of sick days (either 0.5 or 1 in C2:C100

    The start date is in cell E2

    The end date is in cell F2

    Your help would be greatly appreciated.

    Viv

  21. AC says:

    Thanks for this - it solved the problem that I was having. However can someone please explain to me why the "" needs to be around >= and <= as well as why we need to add & in order for the formula to work? Thanks in advance!

  22. Ufoo says:

    This formula works perfectly as well. Any ideas?: =SUM(INDEX(C5:C95,MATCH(H5,B5:B95,1)):INDEX(C5:C95,MATCH(H6,B5:B95,1)))

  23. Ufoo says:

    ikkeman had posted the same thing.

  24. murray says:

    I am trying to sum total a range of cells between date ranges ie column n has $ amounts column d has the transaction dates ie 1/3/2015 or 25/3/2015 or 25/4/2015 column b has the text saying drp or distribution - reinv

    In another cell I am trying to sum or total (in column n) with the value of a range of different dates (column d) that contain different text (column b) ie cell n48 is 50, n65 is 85, n165 is 36

    with the dates ie cell d48 is 1/3/2015, d65 is 25/3/2015 and d165 is 25/4/2015

    with different text that says drp or distribution - reinv ie cell b48 is drp, b65 is distribution - reinv, b165 is drp

    If I wanted to sum the amounts between 1/3/2015 to 31/3/2015 with drp then the total would be 50. Also if I wanted to sum the amounts between 1/4/2015 to 30/4/2015 with drp the sum total would be 36 If I wanted to sum the amounts between 1/3/2015 to 31/3/2015 with drp and distribution - reinv the sum would be 115

    What would the formula be for these different questions

    hope you can help, it has been driving me nuts and cant work it out

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