Stream graph or stream plot is a variation of area chart that looks like a stream. Here is a quick demo of a stream chart. Learn how to create such a graph in this page.
Background & Inspiration
Stream graphs have been around for many years. But this particular graph, showing the appearance of X-men characters is originally designed by Cédric Scherer. I saw his tweet sometime back and immediately wanted to recreate this in Excel.
So I went to the github project page where Cedric shares his R code, datasets and detail on the construction for all his visuals. I grabbed a copy of the dataset and used it to make the interactive stream graph in Excel.
Big thanks to Cedric for the inspiration. 🙏
Download the Stream Chart Workbook
Please click here to download the Stream Chart: X-Men appearances workbook. Play with it to enjoy. Examine the calculations, worksheet setup and chart formatting options to learn more.
How to make a stream graph - 4 steps
As you can guess, there is no “Stream graph” option in insert ribbon on Excel. So we will need to make it by mixing a few bits and bobs. For the first part of the tutorial, let’s focus on creating a stream plot in Excel. The process involves 4 simple steps.
- Make a regular area chart
- Float the areas with a dummy series at bottom
- Smoothen the areas
- Format the chart
Let’s start with sample data as depicted below.
Step 1 - Make regular area chart
Select the data and insert a stacked area chart. We get this.
Step 2 - Float the areas with dummy series at bottom
To make our area chart look like a stream, we need to first lift the areas. To do this, we need to add a dummy series at the bottom.
But what would the value of this dummy series?
- To make it look like a stream, each point of the area chart needs to move down or up around a center line.
- We can do this by taking a big enough number (say 100) and subtracting half the height of total area at each point.
- To make it look natural, we can add a small random number to this.
Here is how our dummy float series will look:
And this is how our area chart will look once you add the dummy series at the bottom.
Step 3 - Smoothen the areas
You must be thinking… “Hey, where is the stream… 😕?”
We are getting there. Our area chart has all sorts of sharp lines. We just need to smoothen it out. I recommend 60 grit sandpaper.
Just kidding. No need to sand the edges. We just use formulas to smoothen the data. Time for some concepts.
How to smoothen / curvify data in Excel?
If you are making a line graph, you can use the ever helpful “smooth line” option to smoothen it. Unfortunately, we need to use area charts for the stream effect. So we are out of luck and need to learn how to smoothen or curvify our data.
You can use regression to smoothen the data, but it tends to be too complex.
The easy option: use moving average.
Take your data and apply moving average with a window size of 5 (try few different options and pick the one that gives good looking curve).
Here is the moving averaged data. Remember to include the dummy series in moving average calculations.
If you create an area chart from this data, suddenly those areas don’t look so sharp anymore. Our stream is almost ready!!!
Step 4 - Format the chart
This last step is real simple. Just format the chart by making dummy series transparent. Remove any unnecessary chart elements and you have a nice stream going.
Back to X-Men Appearances Stream Chart
Now that you know how to make a stream appear, let me unravel the rest of this beautiful x-men appearances chart.
Data for the visualization:
The data for this came from Github project page (link). It is in a convenient CSV format. I used Power Query to connect to the file and add an extra column to extract mutant character names.
Interactivity – Option buttons:
The interactivity in the stream graph is done with 4 option buttons, icons, text & conditional formatting. See below illustration to understand how they all create the illusion.
Related: How to make your charts & dashboards interactive?
Stream chart edges – lines with smoothing option:
To get the crisp stream effect, I have added two lines, one at bottom and one on top of the stream. I made these lines smooth lines and colored them in white.
Axis labels are data labels on a hidden line:
I added another line series on top. Used that to make axis labels for important issue #s and hidden the line. We get these beauties.
Error bars for gridlines:
As regular gridlines can be too grainy, I removed them and used error bar technique to draw a line from bottom to top of the stream.
Legend is shapes + typed text:
The legend is almost manual. I just created a bunch of rectangles and typed the text in them. I used gradient fill technique to get two colors in the same box.
How did the stream tapered nicely?
That is for you to figure out. Use the download file to learn how that is done.
Stream Chart in Excel - Video
I made a video explaining the whole process. It has many additional charting tips too. Watch it below or on my YouTube channel.
Download Stream Chart Excel File
Just in case, you missed the link above…
Please click here to download the Stream Chart: X-Men appearances workbook. Play with it to enjoy. Examine the calculations, worksheet setup and chart formatting options to learn more.
Advanced Excel Charting Ideas & Inspiration
If you are looking for creative, fun and interesting ways to present data, you’ve come to the right place. Please click on below images to learn more.
Joy Plot in Excel
Another area chart, to make joy plot.
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So many elections around the world, one graph to present them all.
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Visualize relationships between various stakeholders. Find out who has the biggest clout.
Want more...?
My Excel School program has tons of advanced charting & data analysis material. Check it out and sign up for more.
36 Responses to “Visualizing Financial Metrics – 30 Alternatives”
Although I am one of the contestants, I must wholeheartedly admit that the Dashboard of Chandeep is the best of all. It's design, colors, message-conveying is the greatest. My regards!
I would like to learn how Chandeep highlighted the graph when he made a selection on the slicer.
Any links to previous posts perhaps where this was covered by Chandoo?
Thank You
Ahmad
Dashboard from Abhay simply rocks. To the point and conveys the intended message even for a novice.
Infographic by Pinank - is looking good
I have also contributed to this contest. I am really inspired by various entries in above post. Based on following parameters i would like to rate these:
1. Explanatory - Whether dashboard will be used to explain certain thing or mention a story. This type of dashboard will be static.
2. Exploratory - Here user would like to interact more with the dashboard to extract the relevant story or meaning which is not apparent. Hence, this type dashboard needs to have more interactivity.
3. Scalability - If new or more data can be added to dashboard and still the functionality will work. If user wants to add more companies, years, etc. will it work.
Based on above criteria I would rate following entries as top ones:
1. Explanatory - by Pinank
2. Exploratory - by Chandeep
3. Scalability - In most of the entries additional work would be required to include more data except for mine. new years or companies can be easily added and analysed in chart by me.
These entries are really inspiring i will definitely use it to revise my dashboard.
Abhay's dashboard is good however, if Chandeep can go with the trend analysis Abhay has done (line graphs), then maybe Chandeep's dashboard can excel.
And now I'm angry that I haven't noticed contest announcement earlier and I've sent what I've sent... Building a dashoboard was supposed to be my goal but lack of time forced me to sent sth simplier and now I can see how big mistake it was (when it comes to fighting a competition like this). Nice work guys! It's realy inspiring! Even less advanced works are intresting because of different task approach. So wance again: thanks 🙂
If I had to choose the best ones (IMHO) I would go for William and Edouard as a second place (for both). Despite some weak sides (like label errors or "work place" next to a final chart) they meet my sense of clear data visualisation and contain intresting interactive elements.
The best entry is definitly Chandeep's. Although there was some failing with automatical comenting feature (#arg! in my Excel'10) it's full of advanced dashboarding tricks which makes it easy to read. Furthermore, as one of the few he finished(?) his project - it opens in a "secured mode", with no place to mess anything, no data trash - just choose, point and read/print.
It all deserves to get the Grand Prize!
and BTW: when can we expect another contest? 🙂
Big round of applause to everyone who participated. I'm amazed at the creativity of our community. 🙂
My vote would be for Chandeep, MF Wong, and Miguel.
I have not contributed, but have read this post with a lot of interest. I would like to congratulate all participants for there work & inventiveness.
My #1 spot goes to Gerald for showing all the data in 1 graph & to have still kept it simple & readable.
I would give a prize for innovation to Pinank for the use of icons.
Great to see so much creativity.
I have not contributed also, but have wait his post for a long time (because I have the same kind of issue in my "daily life").
My top 3 is the following :
- Pinank for the effeiciency and for the style
- Arnaud for the calculation behind the chart
- Miguel for the elegant business oriented dashboard
All the entries look very good. However I feel Pinanks entry seems the best as it is very explanatory with good innovative thoughts.
Hi all,
Some brilliant dashboard and interactive entries - really nice stuff and lots of clever tricks.
However, given that the initial question was "Need to quickly visualize 3 variables ( Company, years, Financials) in a single […] chart", unfortunately I don't think any dashboards - as cool as they are - really answer that question. The interactives also assume that this will be opened in Excel rather than seen in a printed hand-out, which essentially means you'd need multiple charts to show all the variables or be limited to a computer screen. Even Chandoo's initial panel chart approach - which is static, and also very simple and clean - is not really a 'single chart'. Furthermore, most of the interactives don't actually show all variables at once but rather slice the data into more manageable chunks, which is not staying true to the original brief.
So, in light of the above, I'd vote for Gerald in first place, Edwin in second and finally my third chart option in third place (yes, I know, voting for yourself is poor form but unfortunately I think the original question disqualifies most of the entries).
Anyway, a fun competition and thanks for following up on this Chandoo.
I am once again in awe of the submittals to a Chandoo contest. The results are so impressive. I have been trying to build nice dashboards for years and take so many courses, but I don't seem to have the eye for design. The color choices, fonts and chart choices are so important and I'm amazed at how some people really have a great talent for making the best selections.
It's nice to have such quality inspiration!
I saw Chandeep's entry on his website and I must say that I was very impressed by it. Simply loved it. Somewhat makes it difficult to keep an open mind towards the other entries.
My ranking:
1. Chandeep for its completeness as dashboard.
2. MF Wong/Miguel for "simple" but smart graphs.
3. Pinank's entry looks like a page from a glossy magazine.
During scrolling I stopped at Chirayu's entry: easy to the eye.
But honestly congrats too all for having the balls to participate and thank you for sharing your creativity!! Hat's off to you.
Miguel, MF Wong, and Pinank.
Thanks to Chandoo and everyone who contributed for the great ideas.
Hi,
I personally liked the dashboard of:
1. Chandeep - His dashboard is clear, crisp and informative, his color combination and design is awesome, also he has shared few details like operating leverage plus he has added few comments. In totality, its a complete packaged dashboard.
2. Miguel - His dashboard is simple and all the information is visible in one shot.
It's very interesting looking through these - you can definitely tell who's done courses in dashboard design and with whom!
I particularly liked Pawels 'sperm chart' 😉 ... squint your eyes - you'll see what I mean). each of the charts or dashboards are put together well - but I agree with Elchin on this one - Chandeeps dashboard set 'tells a story' of the data. Student of Mr Few??
Without a doubt, Chandeep deserves #1. #2 goes to Abhay, and #3 to Pinhank, for the great presentation style if nothing else.
MF Wong
Do not apologize for any delay! Moving from one town to the next only 10 miles away is tough enough - let alone a family moving from one country to another!
THANK YOU for this excellent post!
As one of the participants, I have been looking forward to this post for long. But totally understood the reason of delay, so never mind! Hope all is well in NZ.
Thank you very much to those who like my chart! 🙂
Also thanks Chandoo for suggesting a name for it "Container Chart", which I have never thought about.
Personally I like the infographic by Pinank. Very outstanding design and use of icons. My two-cent worth: Just the lower part of "Yearly Trend" is actually good enough to answer the question, isn't it? 😉
Cheers,
What an outburst of creativity!
Vote for Chandeep and Pinank!
Agreed!
Awesome dashboards
Infographic by Pinank is awesome
Thank you so much for sharing!! i learn so much from these posts
Highly appreciated
Ahmad
South Africa
Fantastic responses from all the contestants. Some really great ideas. I'm inspired and will adapt some of these to my own dashboard work. Thanks for hosting such a great contest!!
Thank you for sharing this valuable resources !!!
I have only a couple of question that wasn't able to solve regarding data-origin.
Nowadays I have the data coming from a "current" situation from a big database containing all kind purchase-orders information of many different projects. I can calculate the current status of each project investments, but I am not able to track automatically the progress of it month to month or week to week by freezing the calculated metrics on each date. This would let me calculate new graphs and the speed of investments execution.
My question would be, if it is possible to calculate something with an excel formula and automatically freeze this values in a new row or new column. I guess that right now, Basic is the only way, but I guess that there could be a function to copy-a-range, insert-range-as-value-only as a new row or a new column or display everything down or left.
This would preserve the excel formulas defined, and add new data, everytime that it is re-calculated.
Any idea?
Great post , loved all chart representation. Congratulations to all participants and winners.
I need updates to this article.
I didn't even realize this got posted. Came across it today. Thanks
Fantastic post but I was wondering if you could write
a litte more on this subject? I'd be very thankful if you could elaborate a
little bit further. Thank you!
Hi Chandoo,
I comeback after a long time on your Blog. So I saw it lately. Its a brilliant idea.
I like all entries and these are amazing efforts from all participants.
Regards
The report presented by Pinanik is excellent and very innovative. Could be an interesting work for portfolio presentation