How To Insert Thermometer Chart In Excel

In this article you will learn how to create a chart which looks like a thermometer. This type of chart you will want to present data that show the percentage of a value (eg. the annual plan for the sale or use of the budget).

To create a thermometer goal chart in Excel, you need a data. One cell should show the current value, and the second is the target value. On this basis, calculate the percentage.

Thermometer Chart Table

Select the cell with percentage and go to the ribbon. In the Insert tab, Charts group, click Column, and select the Clustered Column chart.

Clustered Column Chart

Your chart at the moment looks like this:

It will be Thermometer Chart

Thermometer Chart formatting

You must now adjust the formatting.

Right-click on the left axis (eg on one of the numbers) and from the menu choose Format Axis.

Format Chart Axis

In the Axis Options, next to Maximum beside Fixed type 1.

Fixed Maximum

Next right-click the blue bar and choose Format Data Series.

Chart Format Data Series

Change Gap Width to 0 %.

Gap Width

Right-click a blank area over a blue bar between the horizontal lines and select Format Plot Area.

Format Plot Area

On the left edge of the page, select Border Color and choose the Solid Line. Below select the blue Color.

Border Color

Your chart now looks like this:

Thermometer Chart Needs Formatting

Select the entire chart (click anywhere on the chart). Go to Ribbon > Layout tab. Click Legend / None

Chart Legend None

Axes > Primary Horizontal Axis > None

Primary Horizontal Axis

Gridlines > Primary Horizontal Gridlines > None

Primary Horizontal Gridlines

Thermometer Chart is just almost ready.

Thermometer Chart almost done

It needs to be much more such as thermometer. Change the size of the chart. Narrow it and increase the height to be more like a mercury in thermometer.

Thermometer Chart Excel not yet ready

The effect of the thermometer is even better when you insert the oval on the bottom of the goal chart.

Go to Ribbon> Insert> Illustrations > Shapes. Choose the Oval and adjust it to the chart.

Insert Oval Shape

Here is the effect of your work. Thermometer Goal Chart is ready!

Excel Thermometer Chart

Template

You can download the Template here – Download