# How to Create Excel Charts (Including Combo and Stock Charts) Using OfficeCLI > Learn to create Excel charts, including combo and stock charts, with OfficeCLI. Effortlessly generate complex visualizations using powerful command-line tools and the OpenXML SDK for dynamic data representation. - Repository: [OfficeAI/OfficeCLI](https://github.com/iofficeai/OfficeCLI) - Tags: how-to-guide - Published: 2026-08-09 --- **OfficeCLI creates Excel charts by routing `add chart` commands through the `ExcelHandler`, which uses the OpenXML SDK to build `DrawingsPart` elements, with specialized logic for combo charts (mixing column/line series) and stock charts (requiring four specific series) in files like [`ExcelHandler.Add.Chart.cs`](https://github.com/iOfficeAI/OfficeCLI/blob/main/ExcelHandler.Add.Chart.cs) and [`ChartHelper.cs`](https://github.com/iOfficeAI/OfficeCLI/blob/main/ChartHelper.cs).** OfficeCLI is a command-line interface for manipulating Microsoft Office documents without external binaries. The **iOfficeAI/OfficeCLI** repository provides dedicated handlers for each document type, with the `ExcelHandler` managing all chart operations through pure C# OpenXML manipulation. Whether you need simple column charts or complex financial visualizations, you can create Excel charts using OfficeCLI by passing structured properties to the `add` command. ## The Chart Creation Pipeline in OfficeCLI When you execute an `add chart` command, OfficeCLI follows a strict internal pipeline defined in [`CommandBuilder.cs`](https://github.com/iOfficeAI/OfficeCLI/blob/main/CommandBuilder.cs). First, the CLI parses the verb and routes the request to `OfficeCli.Handlers.ExcelHandler`. The `ExcelHandler.AddChart` method (located in [`src/officecli/Handlers/Excel/ExcelHandler.Add.Chart.cs`](https://github.com/iOfficeAI/OfficeCLI/blob/main/src/officecli/Handlers/Excel/ExcelHandler.Add.Chart.cs)) then coordinates property extraction and OpenXML part generation. The handler delegates chart-type resolution to `ChartHelper.ParseChartType` in [`ChartHelper.cs`](https://github.com/iOfficeAI/OfficeCLI/blob/main/ChartHelper.cs), which normalizes input strings like `combo` or `stock` and validates modifiers for 3D or stacked variants. This method returns a tuple containing the chart kind, 3D flags, and stacking options that determine the final XML structure. ## Creating Standard Column and Bar Charts For basic charts, OfficeCLI constructs a new `DrawingsPart` if one does not exist, then builds the chart XML using the OpenXML SDK's `DocumentFormat.OpenXml.Drawing.Charts` namespace. The handler caches series data in `` or `` elements to support immediate HTML preview rendering. To add a simple column chart, specify the `charttype`, `series` properties, and `categories`: ```bash officecli add sales.xlsx /sheet[Q1] \ --type chart \ --prop charttype=column \ --prop series1="Revenue:100,150,200" \ --prop series2="Profit:30,45,60" \ --prop categories="Jan,Feb,Mar" ``` This command creates a column chart on sheet **Q1** with two data series and category labels. The `ExcelHandler` automatically handles the `TwoCellAnchor` positioning if no specific coordinates are provided. ## Building Combo Charts in OfficeCLI **Combo charts** require special handling because they combine multiple chart types (typically column and line) within a single plot area. In [`ChartHelper.Builder.cs`](https://github.com/iOfficeAI/OfficeCLI/blob/main/ChartHelper.Builder.cs), the generic builder creates a `` that mixes series groups and maps each series to the correct `` for primary or secondary axes, as implemented in [`ChartHelper.Setter.cs`](https://github.com/iOfficeAI/OfficeCLI/blob/main/ChartHelper.Setter.cs) (lines 415-418). The `comboTypes` property controls the visual representation of each series. If omitted, the handler defaults to a column-plus-line split at the first series boundary. To create a combo chart with explicit type mapping: ```bash officecli add finance.xlsx /sheet[Overview] \ --type chart \ --prop charttype=combo \ --prop series1="Revenue:120,180,240" \ --prop series2="Profit:40,70,110" \ --prop series3="GrowthRate:5,7,9" \ --prop comboTypes=column,column,line \ --prop categories="Q1,Q2,Q3" ``` The `comboTypes=column,column,line` instruction renders the first two series as columns and the third as a line, automatically creating a secondary axis for the line series. The handler validates that the number of types matches the number of series before emitting the OpenXML. ## Generating Stock Charts with OfficeCLI **Stock charts** enforce strict data requirements: they require exactly four series representing Open, High, Low, and Close values. The `ChartHelper.ParseChartType` method contains specific validation logic for the `stock` type (lines 55-56) that throws an informative `ArgumentException` if the supplied data does not match this four-series structure. The builder creates a `` element and expects the series in the specific order enforced by the parser. To add a stock chart: ```bash officecli add prices.xlsx /sheet[Tech] \ --type chart \ --prop charttype=stock \ --prop series1="Open:150,152,151" \ --prop series2="High:155,158,156" \ --prop series3="Low:148,149,147" \ --prop series4="Close:152,154,150" \ --prop categories="01-Jan,02-Jan,03-Jan" ``` This generates a fully functional stock chart with the required four series. The handler stores the literal values in the chart's number cache so the visualization renders correctly in both Excel and the CLI's HTML preview. ## Data Binding and Chart Positioning OfficeCLI supports two data input methods: inline literal values (as shown above) or cell references using the `datarange` property. When `datarange=` is supplied, `ExcelHandler.AddChart` calls `ParseDataRangeForChart` to extract values from the worksheet, back-filling the chart caches so the HTML preview renders immediately. To reference existing cells instead of inline data: ```bash officecli add report.xlsx /sheet[Data] \ --type chart \ --prop charttype=combo \ --prop datarange=Data!$A$2:$D$6 \ --prop categories=Data!$A$2:$A$6 \ --prop series1=Data!$B$2:$B$6 \ --prop series2=Data!$C$2:$C$6 \ --prop series3=Data!$D$2:$D$6 \ --prop comboTypes=column,line,line ``` For positioning, use the `anchor` property with a cell range like `D5:H15`, which `TryParseCellRangeAnchor` converts into a `TwoCellAnchor`. When `anchor` is present, the CLI ignores separate `x`, `y`, `width`, and `height` properties (see lines 23-31 of the handler). ```bash officecli add dashboard.xlsx /sheet[Summary] \ --type chart \ --prop charttype=column \ --prop series1="Sales:200,250,300" \ --prop categories="East,West,North" \ --prop anchor=D5:H15 ``` ## Summary - OfficeCLI routes all chart commands through `ExcelHandler.AddChart` in [`ExcelHandler.Add.Chart.cs`](https://github.com/iOfficeAI/OfficeCLI/blob/main/ExcelHandler.Add.Chart.cs), which manipulates OpenXML parts directly without external binaries. - The `ChartHelper.ParseChartType` method in [`ChartHelper.cs`](https://github.com/iOfficeAI/OfficeCLI/blob/main/ChartHelper.cs) validates chart types and handles special flags for 3D and stacked variants. - **Combo charts** use the `comboTypes` property to map series to mixed visual types (column, line, bar) and automatically manage secondary axes via [`ChartHelper.Setter.cs`](https://github.com/iOfficeAI/OfficeCLI/blob/main/ChartHelper.Setter.cs). - **Stock charts** require exactly four series (Open, High, Low, Close) and generate a `` element with strict validation. - Use `datarange` to bind charts to existing worksheet cells, or `anchor` to position charts using cell references rather than absolute coordinates. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### What is the minimum number of series required for a stock chart in OfficeCLI? OfficeCLI requires exactly four series for stock charts: Open, High, Low, and Close. The `ChartHelper.ParseChartType` method enforces this structure and throws an `ArgumentException` if you provide fewer or more than four series when `charttype=stock` is specified. ### How does OfficeCLI handle the secondary axis in combo charts? The [`ChartHelper.Setter.cs`](https://github.com/iOfficeAI/OfficeCLI/blob/main/ChartHelper.Setter.cs) file (lines 415-418) automatically assigns line series to a secondary axis when using combo charts. You control which series use which chart type via the `comboTypes` property (e.g., `column,column,line`), and the builder maps each series to the appropriate `` element in the OpenXML plot area. ### Can I use existing Excel data instead of inline values when creating charts? Yes. Use the `datarange` property to specify a cell range (e.g., `Data!$A$2:$D$6`), or assign individual series using `series1=Sheet!$B$2:$B$6`. The `ExcelHandler.AddChart` method calls `ParseDataRangeForChart` to read the values and populate the chart's `` or ``, ensuring the chart renders in both Excel and the CLI's HTML preview. ### Where is the chart positioning logic implemented in the OfficeCLI source code? Positioning logic resides in [`ExcelHandler.Add.Chart.cs`](https://github.com/iOfficeAI/OfficeCLI/blob/main/ExcelHandler.Add.Chart.cs) (lines 23-49). The method `TryParseCellRangeAnchor` converts cell range strings like `D5:H15` into `TwoCellAnchor` objects. If you provide an `anchor` property, the handler ignores any separate `x`, `y`, `width`, or `height` values and anchors the chart to the specified cell corners.