Here's how to create a waterfall chart in Excel to visualize cumulative changes:

1. Prepare your data:

* You'll need three columns of data:
* A starting value (often 0 or the previous period's ending value)
* Positive or negative changes (increases or decreases) for each category
* Ending value for each category (should be the starting value plus the sum of all changes)

2. Select your data:

* Highlight the entire data range, including all three columns.

3. Insert the waterfall chart:

* Go to the "Insert" tab on the Excel ribbon.
* In the "Charts" group, find the "Waterfall or Stock" chart option (it might be under a dropdown menu depending on your Excel version).
* Click on the waterfall chart icon to insert it into your worksheet.

4. Set the totals (optional):

* By default, Excel might not automatically recognize your start and ending value columns.
* Right-click on the starting value bar (usually the first bar) and select "Set as Total."
* Do the same for the ending value bar (usually the last bar).

5. Customize your chart (optional):

* You can customize the chart appearance by using the "Chart Design" and "Format" tabs on the ribbon.
* Change colors, add data labels, adjust the legend, and format the chart elements to your preference.

Tips:

* Ensure your change values (positive or negative) are entered correctly. Negative values will be displayed as descending bars in the waterfall.
* You can stack multiple waterfall charts on top of each other to compare changes across different categories.
* For more complex waterfall charts, you might need to adjust the chart elements and data series formatting manually.

By following these steps, you can create a clear and informative waterfall chart to effectively showcase cumulative changes in your data.