Create High-Low-Close(HLC) Stock Chart

Possible Usage Scenarios

The High-Low-Close (HLC) stock chart uses four columns of data. The first column is a category, usually a date but stock names can also be used. The next three columns in order are for high, low, and closing prices. The range of price for each category is indicated by a vertical line from low to high, and closing price is shown using a tickmark extending to the right of this line.

Visibility improvements in the chart

Sometimes, to make the chart look more intuitive, we can modify the appearance of the marker (close), or make it display on the secondary axis.

Sample Code

The following sample code loads the sample Excel file and generates the output Excel file.

// Create an instance of Workbook
Workbook workbook = new Workbook("High-Low-Close.xlsx");
// Access the first worksheet.
Worksheet worksheet = workbook.Worksheets[0];
//Create High-Low-Close-Stock Chart
int pieIdx = worksheet.Charts.Add(ChartType.StockHighLowClose, 5, 6, 20, 12);
// Retrieve the Chart object
Chart chart = worksheet.Charts[pieIdx];
// Set the legend can be showed
chart.ShowLegend = true;
// Set the chart title name 
chart.Title.Text = "High-Low-Close Stock";
// Set the Legend at the bottom of the chart area
chart.Legend.Position = LegendPositionType.Bottom;
// Set data range
chart.SetChartDataRange("A1:D9", true);
// Set category data 
chart.NSeries.CategoryData = "A2:A9";
// Set the marker with the built-in data 
chart.NSeries[2].Marker.MarkerStyle = ChartMarkerType.Dash;
chart.NSeries[2].Marker.MarkerSize = 20;
chart.NSeries[2].Marker.Area.Formatting = FormattingType.Custom;
chart.NSeries[2].Marker.Area.ForegroundColor = Color.Maroon;
// Fill the PlotArea area with nothing 
chart.PlotArea.Area.FillFormat.FillType = FillType.None;
// Save the Excel file
workbook.Save("out.xlsx");