NAME

Line - A class for writing Excel Line charts.

SYNOPSIS

To create a simple Excel file with a Line chart using Excel::Writer::XLSX:

    #!/usr/bin/perl

    use strict;
    use warnings;
    use Excel::Writer::XLSX;

    my $workbook  = Excel::Writer::XLSX->new( 'chart.xlsx' );
    my $worksheet = $workbook->add_worksheet();

    my $chart     = $workbook->add_chart( type => 'line' );

    # Configure the chart.
    $chart->add_series(
        categories => '=Sheet1!$A$2:$A$7',
        values     => '=Sheet1!$B$2:$B$7',
    );

    # Add the worksheet data the chart refers to.
    my $data = [
        [ 'Category', 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 ],
        [ 'Value',    1, 4, 5, 2, 1, 5 ],
    ];

    $worksheet->write( 'A1', $data );

    __END__

DESCRIPTION

This module implements Line charts for Excel::Writer::XLSX. The chart object is created via the Workbook "add_chart()" method:

    my $chart = $workbook->add_chart( type => 'line' );

Once the object is created it can be configured via the following methods that are common to all chart classes:

    $chart->add_series();
    $chart->set_x_axis();
    $chart->set_y_axis();
    $chart->set_title();

These methods are explained in detail in Excel::Writer::XLSX::Chart. Class specific methods or settings, if any, are explained below.

Line Chart Subtypes

The "Line" chart module also supports the following sub-types:

    stacked
    percent_stacked

These can be specified at creation time via the "add_chart()" Worksheet method:

    my $chart = $workbook->add_chart( type => 'line', subtype => 'stacked' );

EXAMPLE

Here is a complete example that demonstrates most of the available features when creating a chart.

    #!/usr/bin/perl

    use strict;
    use warnings;
    use Excel::Writer::XLSX;

    my $workbook  = Excel::Writer::XLSX->new( 'chart_line.xlsx' );
    my $worksheet = $workbook->add_worksheet();
    my $bold      = $workbook->add_format( bold => 1 );

    # Add the worksheet data that the charts will refer to.
    my $headings = [ 'Number', 'Batch 1', 'Batch 2' ];
    my $data = [
        [ 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 ],
        [ 10, 40, 50, 20, 10, 50 ],
        [ 30, 60, 70, 50, 40, 30 ],

    ];

    $worksheet->write( 'A1', $headings, $bold );
    $worksheet->write( 'A2', $data );

    # Create a new chart object. In this case an embedded chart.
    my $chart = $workbook->add_chart( type => 'line', embedded => 1 );

    # Configure the first series.
    $chart->add_series(
        name       => '=Sheet1!$B$1',
        categories => '=Sheet1!$A$2:$A$7',
        values     => '=Sheet1!$B$2:$B$7',
    );

    # Configure second series. Note alternative use of array ref to define
    # ranges: [ $sheetname, $row_start, $row_end, $col_start, $col_end ].
    $chart->add_series(
        name       => '=Sheet1!$C$1',
        categories => [ 'Sheet1', 1, 6, 0, 0 ],
        values     => [ 'Sheet1', 1, 6, 2, 2 ],
    );

    # Add a chart title and some axis labels.
    $chart->set_title ( name => 'Results of sample analysis' );
    $chart->set_x_axis( name => 'Test number' );
    $chart->set_y_axis( name => 'Sample length (mm)' );

    # Set an Excel chart style. Colors with white outline and shadow.
    $chart->set_style( 10 );

    # Insert the chart into the worksheet (with an offset).
    $worksheet->insert_chart( 'D2', $chart, 25, 10 );

    __END__

AUTHOR