Drawing Lines

Excel provides tools that allow you to create a number of shapes that were previously only available through the use of a drawing program. One of these shapes is a line. (Yes, the simple line!) How you create a line depends on the version of Excel you are using.

If you are using a version prior to Excel 2007, you normally use the Drawing toolbar to create a line. Follow these steps with the Drawing toolbar visible:

1. Select a line weight and type by clicking on the Line Style tool on the toolbar.
2. Click on the line tool.
3. Position the mouse pointer where one end of the line is to be located.
4. Click and hold the mouse button.
5. Drag the mouse until the line is the desired length.
6. Release the mouse button.

If you are using Excel 2007, the Drawing toolbar is no longer used. Instead, you should follow these steps:

1. Display the Insert tab of the ribbon.
2. Click the Shapes tool in the Illustrations group. Excel displays a drop-down cornucopia of drawing objects.
3. Click the line that most closely resembles the type of line you want to draw.
4. Position the mouse pointer where one end of the line is to be located.
5. Click and hold the mouse button.
6. Drag the mouse until the line is the desired length.
7. Release the mouse button.