Free Actual vs Target Chart in Excel: Download Free Template & Tutorial

Easily compare your actual KPI values against targets using a ready-made Excel chart. This comprehensive guide will help you create a clear and actionable visualization, download a free template, and automate the process for any business area.

Why Use an Actual vs Target Chart?

• Performance Tracking: Identify gaps between what you achieved and what you planned.
• Trend Analysis: Monitor progress month-over-month to assess improvements.
• Decision Support: Convert numbers into visual cues for swift action.
• Accountability: Provide teams with instant visibility of performance.

These benefits apply across various industries, from manufacturing line efficiency to sales pipeline health.

Step-By-Step Guide to Creating the Chart

1. Prepare Your Data Table
   • Column A: KPI name (e.g., “Revenue”, “Defect Rate”).
   • Column B: Actual values.
   • Column C: Target values.
2. Select the Range (A-C) and insert a Clustered Column chart.
3. Convert Target Series to a Scatter Line:
   • Right-click the target series → “Change Series Chart Type” → “Scatter with Straight Lines”.
   • Set the marker to a horizontal line for a clean target indicator.
4. Overlap the Columns: (format → Series Options → Overlap = 100%) to align the actual bars directly behind the target line.
5. Style for Readability:
   • Use bold color for actuals, neutral gray for targets.
   • Add data labels only on actuals to maintain clarity.
   • Provide a clear axis title – e.g., “Monthly KPI Values”.

Visualization Approaches

A. Multiple Charts – One KPI per Chart

This method allows for detailed commentary on each metric, maintaining a narrow focus but may consume more space.

B. Single Chart with Multiple Metrics

Ideal for executive dashboards, displaying all KPIs side-by-side for quick comparison. Simply add more rows to the data table based on the steps above.

Choose the approach that best fits the audience and reporting requirements.

Industry-Specific Examples

Manufacturing – Production Yield vs. Target

Use the chart to compare daily output against planned quotas. Highlight days when yield falls below 95% with a red target line to signal urgency.

Sales – Monthly Revenue vs. Quota

Show actual sales as columns and a thin line for revenue targets. Apply a conditional format to turn the column green when actuals meet or exceed targets.

Marketing – Lead Generation vs. Goal

Track weekly lead generation against goals visually to identify weeks requiring additional efforts.

Design Tips for Maximum Impact

• Simplicity is Key: Use one data series per color.
• Contrasting Colors: Employ dark for actuals, light or grey for targets.
• Clear Legend: Include a concise legend, even for small charts, to prevent confusion.
• Subtitle Inclusion: Mention the time period, e.g., “Q1 2025”.
• Interactivity: Insert a slicer for month or department in files shared via SharePoint.

Free Template & Automation

Download our Actual vs Target Excel template to quickly replace sample data with your numbers. The template contains a convenient macro that refreshes the chart with just one click.

Download the free template and explore automated reporting

Quick Implementation Checklist

Next Steps – Power Up Your Dashboard

After mastering your basic chart, consider integrating it into a full executive dashboard. Our Financial Dashboard Excel pack includes layout ideas, KPI scorecards, and pre-built slicers to enhance your reporting capabilities.

For a strategic view of all your performance metrics, explore the Balanced Scorecard & Strategy Map Toolkit, which ties actual vs target visuals into a cohesive business strategy framework.

Get the automated Excel reporting toolkit now