Ampler Charts adds connector lines between the segments of a stacked chart, so the reader can trace how a segment changes from one column to the next.
Quick answer: Right-click the chart and select Add connectors; to remove them, Shift-select and right-click then choose Delete connector; left-click connectors to format the line.
How to use it
Add connectors to trace a segment across columns.
- Right-click on the chart and select Add connectors.
- To remove connectors, Shift-select them, right-click, and select Delete connector.
- Left-click on selected connectors to change the line formatting.
Connectors join a segment across adjacent columns, so its change over the period is easy to follow on a stacked chart.
When to use it
Add connectors on a stacked chart to trace how a segment evolves across columns; skip them where they would clutter a busy chart or where the trend is already obvious.
How consultants use it
On a stacked column chart, connectors guide the eye along a segment’s trend. Three habits apply:
- Trace the trend: connectors follow a segment from column to column
- Aid a stacked chart: they make change readable where stacked segments would otherwise be hard to follow
- Use them sparingly: connectors on every segment can clutter — add them where the trend matters
Connectors help the eye follow a segment’s trend across a stacked chart.
Tips & best practices
- Add connectors where a segment’s trend across periods is the point.
- Keep connector lines light so they guide without dominating.
- Remove connectors that clutter rather than clarify.
Availability
Part of Ampler Charts, included in Ampler for PowerPoint and the Ampler Suite, on Windows desktop PowerPoint.
Frequently asked questions
How do you connect segments across columns in a stacked chart?
Right-click the chart in Ampler Charts and select Add connectors. The connectors join each segment from one column to the next.
What are connectors on a stacked chart?
Thin lines joining a segment across adjacent columns, so the reader can trace how that segment changes over the period.
How do you remove connectors from a chart?
Shift-select the connectors, right-click, and choose Delete connector.
How do you format connector lines?
Left-click the selected connectors to change the line formatting, such as weight and style.