Creating a line graph takes four steps: select your data, open the chart tool, choose the line chart type, and customize the appearance

A line graph in Google Sheets connects data points with lines, making it easy to see trends over time. You build one by selecting the numbers you want to plot, inserting a chart, and picking the line option from the chart types available. Google Sheets handles the scaling and labels automatically, though you can adjust nearly everything afterward.

The process works the same whether your data is in two columns or twenty. The chart updates automatically if you change the numbers in your spreadsheet, so you can build a graph once and keep using it as your data changes.

Key Takeaways

  • Select your data first — include the row or column headers if you want them to appear as labels on your graph.
  • Open the chart tool by clicking Insert, then Chart, and Google Sheets will suggest a chart type based on your data shape.
  • Switch to the line chart type in the chart editor if Google Sheets suggests something else.
  • Customize the title, axis labels, and colors in the Setup and Customize tabs of the chart editor.

Select the data you want to graph

Click on the first cell of the data you want to include, then drag to the last cell. If your data is scattered across the sheet, hold Ctrl (or Cmd on Mac) and click each separate range to select multiple sections at once.

Include the header row or column if you want those labels to appear on your graph. For example, if your first row says "Month" and "Sales," Google Sheets will use those as axis labels. If you select only the numbers without headers, the chart will still work but you'll need to add labels yourself later.

Insert a chart and select the line type

With your data selected, click Insert in the top menu, then click Chart. Google Sheets opens the chart editor on the right side of your screen and suggests a chart type based on your data. If it suggests a column chart or bar chart, you can ignore that suggestion.

In the chart editor, look for the Chart type dropdown (usually showing a picture of the suggested chart). Click it and scroll down to find Line chart. Click the line chart option — it shows a graph with points connected by lines. Google Sheets updates your chart immediately.

Smooth lines versus points and lines

Google Sheets offers two line chart styles. The standard line chart shows data points as small dots connected by straight lines. The smooth line chart connects the same points with curved lines instead, which can look cleaner but may not represent your actual data as accurately.

For most purposes, the standard line chart is the better choice because it shows exactly where your data points are. Use the smooth option only if you're showing a trend and the exact position of each point doesn't matter to your reader.

Add a title and axis labels

In the chart editor, click the Customize tab at the top. Under Chart & axis titles, you'll see a field for the chart title. Type a title that describes what the graph shows — for example, "Monthly Sales 2024" or "Temperature by Week."

Scroll down to find Horizontal axis title and Vertical axis title. Add a label for each axis so readers know what the numbers represent. The horizontal axis usually shows time or categories, and the vertical axis usually shows the measured values.

Change colors and line thickness

In the Customize tab, look for Series. Click on the series name (usually "Series 1" if you have one line, or the actual data column name if you selected headers). A color picker appears — click it to change the line color.

To make the line thicker or thinner, look for Format data series in the same section. You'll see a slider for line thickness. Thicker lines are easier to read from a distance; thinner lines work better when you have many lines on one graph.

Position the chart and resize it

Once you're happy with how the chart looks, click Insert at the bottom of the chart editor. Google Sheets places the chart on your spreadsheet, usually overlapping your data. Click and drag the chart to move it to an empty area, or drag the corners to make it larger or smaller.

If you need to edit the chart later, double-click it to open the chart editor again. Any changes you make to the data in your spreadsheet will update the chart automatically.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I put multiple lines on one graph?

Yes. Select all the data columns you want to graph before inserting the chart. If your spreadsheet has months in column A, sales in column B, and expenses in column C, select all three columns and Google Sheets will create a line for sales and a line for expenses on the same graph.

Why does my line graph show a column chart instead?

Google Sheets guesses the chart type based on your data shape. If you selected only one column of numbers, it may suggest a column chart. Open the chart editor, click the Chart type dropdown, and select Line chart manually.

How do I change the range of numbers on the vertical axis?

Double-click the chart to open the editor, click Customize, then scroll to find Vertical axis. You'll see fields for minimum and maximum values. Enter the numbers you want, or leave them blank to let Google Sheets set them automatically based on your data.

Can I remove the dots and show only the line?

Yes. Open the chart editor, click Customize, find Series, and look for Point size. Set it to 0 to hide the dots. The line will remain visible. You can also adjust this slider to make the dots larger or smaller.

What if my data has gaps or missing values?

Google Sheets will skip over empty cells and connect the points on either side. If you want to show that data is missing, you can enter 0 or leave the cell blank — the result looks the same. For a true gap in the line, you would need to split the data into separate series.