A Candlestick chart is a built-in chart type in Excel normally used to show stock price activity. You’ll find this chart under the Stock category of chart types, with the name Open-High-Low-Close, sometimes abbreviated OHLC.
This chart type automatically plots the full range of values as a single line, with indicates high and low in a given time interval. On top of the line is a bar which indicates open and close values. Dark bars indicate close price is less than open price (a loss), light bars indicate a close price greater than open price (a gain).
Excel plots this chart in blank and white only by default.
Pros
- Quickly plot stock data in open high low close format
- At a glance indication of stock price activity
Cons
- Not as well understood as many other chart types
- A specific chart type mostly seen in the financial world
The Waterfall Chart is a built-in chart type in Excel 2016+. Waterfall charts are used to plot the cumulative result of values as a visual running total. The initial and final values sit directly on the horizontal axis and intermediate values are plotted as floating columns - positive values extend upward, and negative values extend downward. The effect is a staircase like display is useful for showing how an initial value is affected by subsequent positive and negative changes. Waterfall charts are sometimes called bridge charts.
Pros
- Simple to create in Excel 2016+
- At-a-glance visual display of positive and negative changes
Cons
- Less common chart type not as familiar to many people
- Built-in waterfall chart type has limited options
