Summary

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