How to Create a Dumbbell Chart in Excel (Dot Plot)
Excel has no native dumbbell chart type (also called a connected dot plot or gap chart). The standard workaround uses a scatter chart with two data series — one for start values and one for end values — plus horizontal error bars that draw the connecting line between them. The method takes about 20 minutes to set up correctly the first time and requires careful data structuring.
What is a dumbbell chart in Excel?
A dumbbell chart (also called a connected dot plot, gap chart, or DNA chart) shows two values for each category with a horizontal line connecting them. The length of the connecting line communicates the gap or change between the two values. Typical uses: before/after comparisons, two-period benchmarks, or comparing two groups (e.g. men vs women, budget vs actual) across multiple categories. Excel doesn't have this as a native chart type — it requires a scatter chart with error bars as a structural substitute.
6 steps to make a dumbbell chart in Excel
Set up your data in four columns
Column A: category labels (e.g. company names, regions, years). Column B: Y-positions — sequential numbers 1, 2, 3... one per row. These are the vertical positions of each category on the scatter chart. Column C: start values (e.g. 2020 figures). Column D: end values (e.g. 2023 figures). The Y-position column is a helper — it tells Excel where to place each dot vertically, since scatter charts only understand numbers, not text categories.
Insert scatter chart from Y-positions and Start values
Select column B (Y-positions) and column C (Start values). Go to Insert → Charts → Insert Scatter (X, Y) or Bubble Chart → Scatter with Only Markers. This creates dots at the correct vertical positions for your start values. The chart will show numbers on both axes at this stage — you'll fix the Y-axis labels later.
Add the second series for End values
Right-click the chart → Select Data → Add. In the Edit Series dialog: Series X values = column D (end values), Series Y values = column B (Y-positions — the same column as Series 1). Click OK. You now have two sets of dots at the same Y positions but different X positions.
Format both series as circle markers
Select Series 1 → Format Data Series → Marker Options → Built-In → Circle → size 10 or 12. Under Line → No Line. Repeat for Series 2. Use a different color for each series (e.g. Series 1 = blue = start values, Series 2 = orange = end values). This distinguishes the two time periods or groups visually.
Add horizontal error bars to connect the dots
Select Series 1. Click the Chart Elements (+) button → Error Bars → More Error Bar Options. Under the Format Error Bars pane: Direction = Plus. Error Amount → Custom → click 'Specify Value'. For Positive Error Values, select column D (end values). For Negative Error Values, enter 0 (or select a range of zeros). Click OK. This extends a horizontal bar from each Series 1 dot to the Series 2 dot position. Remove the vertical error bars (select them and press Delete) — you only want horizontal ones.
Replace Y-axis numbers with category labels
Right-click the Y-axis → Select Data → under Horizontal (Category) Axis Labels → click Edit → select column A (your category names). Click OK. The numbers on the Y-axis are replaced with your category labels. If categories appear in reverse order (category 1 at bottom instead of top), right-click Y-axis → Format Axis → check 'Values in reverse order'.
When to use a dumbbell chart in Excel
Before and after comparisons
Show how a metric changed from one period to another for multiple categories simultaneously. The gap between dots is the change — categories with long bars changed the most.
Two-group benchmarking
Compare two groups (men vs women, enterprise vs SMB, US vs EU) across the same set of categories. The dumbbell immediately shows which categories have large gaps and which converge.
Survey response comparisons
Show how two demographic groups (or the same group across two years) answered the same questions. Each row is a question; the two dots show each group's response.
Target vs actual
Plot the target value and actual value as two dots for each team, product, or region. Instantly communicates which items are on track, which are over, and which are under.
Components of a dumbbell chart in Excel
Start dots
Circle markers representing the first value for each category. Colored to indicate the start period or group (e.g. blue for 2020). Series 1 in the scatter chart.
End dots
Circle markers representing the second value. Different color from start dots (e.g. orange for 2023). Series 2 in the scatter chart.
Connecting bar
A horizontal line between the two dots, built from Series 1's horizontal error bars. Its length represents the gap between the two values. The direction (left or right) shows increase or decrease.
Y-axis categories
Category labels shown on the vertical axis. In Excel's scatter chart, these are linked from text cells via Select Data but the internal Y values are still numbers (1, 2, 3...) in the helper column.
Frequently Asked Questions
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