Guide
How to make a strip chart in Excel
Excel does not label charts "strip charts," but you can build the same operator-friendly view by using a time-series chart, stable axes, and formatting designed for continuous monitoring.
Recipe
- Prepare columns: Time (x-axis) and one or more value series.
- Insert a line chart: Use a standard line chart so Excel plots value changes over time.
- Lock the y-axis: Set consistent min/max so drift and spikes are comparable between sessions.
- Reduce clutter: Light gridlines, readable line thickness, and clear legend labels.
- Optional moving window: Show only the last N rows or last N minutes using filters or helper columns.
For real-time work, use a live strip chart
Excel is great for analysis and reporting. For live monitoring, an interactive strip chart is easier to tune and faster to interpret under pressure.