Thermometer Chart in Excel 2007:-


A thermometer chart is a big way to display a single number. It is great for use on a dashboard display where you want everyone to see progress toward a goal.

To create a thermometer chart like the one shown in the Figure (given below), you follow these steps:



(This chart is a single column based on the number in cell A1.)

1. Enter a number between 0 and 100 in cell A1.

2. Select cell A1. From the Insert ribbon, choose Column, 2-D Column, Clustered Column.

3. From the Layout ribbon, choose Legend, None.

4. From the Layout ribbon, choose Axes, Primary Horizontal Axis, None.

5. From the Layout ribbon, choose Gridlines, Primary Horizontal Gridlines, None.

6. Right-click the single column and choose Format Data Series. Change Gap Width to 0%. For the Fill category, choose Gradient Fill. In the Preset Colors drop-down, choose the ninth thumbnail, a blend from red to orange. For Border Color, choose Solid Line and then choose an orange color from the drop-down. You can leave the Format dialog open while you do steps 7 and 8.

7. Choose Plot Area from the Current Selection drop-down. Format the border color as a solid line and choose an orange color.

8. Choose the chart area and format the border as No Line. Close the Format dialog box.

9. Resize the chart area so that it is narrow and long.

10. Right-click the numbers along the vertical axis. Choose Format Axis. Then do the following:

• Choose Minimum, Fixed, 0.

• Choose Maximum, Fixed, 100.

• Choose Major Unit, Fixed, 10.

• For the Line Color category, choose Solid Line and then select orange. Click OK to close the Format dialog box.

11. With the axis labels still selected, choose Font Color and then select orange on the Home ribbon.

12. Select the plot area. Drag the bottom resizing handles up so that there is space between the bottom of the plot area and the bottom of the chart area.

13. From the Insert ribbon, choose Shapes, Basic Shapes and then select an oval. Hold down the Shift key while you draw a circle at the bottom of the chart. Note that the shift key forces the oval shape to be drawn as a circle.

14. From the Format ribbon, choose Shape Fill and then select a dark orange and then choose Shape Outline and select a dark orange color for the ball at the bottom of the thermometer.