Ultimate Excel Waterfall Chart Course (Udemy.com)
Build Excel waterfall charts from scratch, no add-ins or VBA required, works with any Excel version
Created by: Leila Gharani
Last updated February 2026
What you will learn
- Build a flexible horizontal waterfall chart from scratch that handles positive, negative, and subtotal values in any Excel version
- Create a vertical bar waterfall chart with full positive and negative value support and dynamic data labels
- Build the traditional stacked column waterfall approach including values that extend below the axis
- Add dynamic elbow connectors and delta arrows that automatically update when data changes
- Handle long category labels and variable numbers of delta values without breaking the chart layout
- Apply the Excel 2016 native waterfall chart and understand when to use it versus a custom-built approach
- Use error bar techniques and connector methods transferable to other Excel chart types
- Adapt ready-to-use waterfall chart templates for financial and non-financial management reports
Course Description
Waterfall charts are one of the most requested chart types in management reporting. This course shows you how to build every variation from scratch in Excel, no add-ins or VBA required.
Most Excel users either rely on the built-in Excel 2016 waterfall chart with its limitations or use third-party add-ins that can't always deliver exactly what they need.
This course gives you the skills to build flexible, professional waterfall charts yourself in any version of Excel.
You'll learn multiple methods, understand the tradeoffs between each, and walk away with ready-to-use templates you can apply to any financial or non-financial data set.
What you'll be able to do after this course:
Build the Excel 2016 native waterfall chart and understand exactly where its limitations apply
Create a fully flexible waterfall chart from scratch that works in any Excel version
Add subtotals and handle variable numbers of delta values without breaking the chart
Handle long category labels cleanly without cluttering the visual
Add dynamic elbow connectors and moving arrows that automatically reflect total change values
Build a vertical bar waterfall chart with proper positive and negative value handling
Create the traditional stacked column waterfall approach including values below the axis
Use multiple connector methods and choose the right one for each scenario
Why build waterfall charts without add-ins:
Add-ins save setup time but limit your control. When the chart needs to look exactly right for a board presentation or the data structure doesn't fit a standard template, you need to know how to build it yourself.
Every technique in this course uses native Excel only, which means your charts work for anyone you share them with regardless of what add-ins they have installed.
What's inside:
5 sections covering every major waterfall chart variation
Horizontal and vertical waterfall methods for any Excel version
Dynamic connector and arrow techniques for polished presentation
Downloadable Excel workbook with all chart templates ready to use
PDF cheat sheets for quick reference
Version note:
Works with Excel 2007 and above. All techniques except the native Excel 2016 waterfall chart can be recreated in any version. Version-specific steps are noted within each lesson.
Taught by Leila Gharani, Microsoft MVP and trusted by 515,000+ students across 11 courses on Udemy.
Enroll now and build your first waterfall chart today.
Instructor Details
- 4.6 Rating
1,038 Reviews
Leila Gharani
Leila Gharani, a Microsoft MVP (most valuable professional), has one mission: to make data work for you. With her clear and practical teaching style, she helps professionals master Excel, Google Sheets, and other tools to create impactful reports, automate tasks, and solve real-world problems - quickly and confidently.
Leila knows the challenges of juggling complex data and tight deadlines because she’s been there. With over 15 years of experience in Finance and IT, she’s streamlined systems, tackled tough data problems, and delivered results for global companies.
Her courses are designed with your success in mind. You’ll find step-by-step lessons, relatable examples, and hands-on exercises that make learning simple and fun. Every concept is tied to real-world applications so you can start seeing results immediately.
Through her YouTube channel and courses, Leila has empowered thousands of learners worldwide to improve their skills, impress at work, and achieve their career goals.
If you’re ready to take control of your data, save time, and stand out as a professional, Leila’s courses are here to help you succeed.
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Reviews
By Adrienne Gammage on 1/26/2021
very encouraging.
By Mark Grindol on 10/21/2020
Good reasons are given on why the built in waterfall chart is not adequate and several techniques are shown on how to create waterfall charts using data perpetration and the chart tools and options. Good demos and downloadable content are provided. My only complaint is that the downloadable content isn't as well organized as other classes by Leila so that it's not as easy to follow along with the demos. However, one can delete content in tables and move existing charts and start new charts to follow the demos.
By Dominic Turnbull on 10/17/2020
This course is all you ever wanted to know about how to create Waterfall charts but never dared to ask. Having, at the end a waterfall summary step-by- step cheat sheets is also a great idea. The only (small) area of improvement was that not all the Excel steps were accompanied by a narrative. As a result, I got lost when trying to replicate what was happening on a few occasions. Finally, and I do not know who is responsible, on many of the modules, the screen became blurred and I could not see what some of the formulae were or follow what steps were being taken.
By Anonymous on 10/11/2020
The lecture was all in English, but it was slow and easy to understand, so you don't have to be a native speaker to take the course.
There was a lot of information and it was very informative.
In the lecture, the lecturer, who has made various proposals and developments in Excel, commented on the use of functions that she has ignored so far, and I think there were hints on how to bring out the functions of Excel.
By 山田 智久 on 9/29/2020
The lecture was all in English, but it was slow and easy to understand, so you don't have to be a native speaker to take the course. There was a lot of information and it was very informative. In the lecture, the lecturer, who has made various proposals and developments in Excel, commented on the use of functions that she has ignored so far, and I think there were hints on how to bring out the functions of Excel. 全ては、英語でのレクチャーでしたが、ゆっくりと分かりやすい表現でしたので、ネイティブでなくても受講できる内容であると思いました。 情報量が多く、とても参考になりました。 また、レクチャーの中で、エクセルで様々な提案・開発をしてきた講師が、これまで無視してきた機能を使うと言うコメントは、エクセルの機能をどのように引き出すのか、ヒントがあったように思います。
By Umme H Furkan on 9/18/2020
Yes
By Steve Lai on 9/1/2020
Excellent course, though a bit of a niche area. However, the techniques (camera tool, error bars etc) are transferable to other applications of Excel. I like especially the trick used to produce arrows with label to show total change in the chart. Thoroughly enjoyed this course.
By Duke Ginette RIel on 8/12/2020
Good insight to the limitations. Very helpful tools to adapt and modify your data for presentation value.
By Carol Pruett on 7/22/2020
I am learning so much taking this course!
By Joram Kabach on 7/11/2020
Leila is always on point and add new knowledge with every word she speaks on the tutorial. I'm feeling much wiser already
By Chuck Garmon on 7/1/2020
Creativity and attention to detail is amazing and fun!
By Ivy Joyce D Java on 6/19/2020
:)
Quality Score
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Overall Score : 92 / 100









