Creating Charts Using Microsoft Excel
Charts and graphs can be used to create a visual image of numbers. A collection of values from worksheet cells selected can be illustrated in different charts as columns, lines, bars, and pie slices. Charts can be created that emphasize numeric trends, support data analysis, and help supply presentation quality reports. These charts can also be used in other applications, such as Power Point. Different charts and graphs are used to convey different situations: Pie Charts – Shows how numbers relate to each other in relation to a total. Line Charts – Perfect for showing trends in data over a period of time. Bar Charts – Visually emphasize different values, arranged vertically; used to show distinct figures at a specified time. Column Charts – Very much like bar charts, using columns to show distinct figures over a time period; arranged horizontally. Pyramid Chart – Column with a pyramid shape. Doughnut Charts – Can be used to represent the parts of a whole for multiple data series. Area Chart – Can be used to show changes in volume of multiple data series over time. Creating a chart: Use the Chart Wizard to go through the process of choosing the chart type and the various chart options. First select the part of the spreadsheet to chart. The data will be surrounded by a flashing dotted line, sometimes called the “marching ants.”
Modified on 7/23/04
Step 1: Choose the chart type. Click Next.
Step 2: Verify that the source data is correct. Click Next.
Step 3: Select the Titles tab and enter the chart title, the X axis and the Y axis.
Step 4: Select the Legend tab and decide where to place the legend. Click Next.
Step 5: Determine where the chart should be placed – either on the spreadsheet or on a new sheet. Click Finish.
Once the chart is complete, double click on the various components – title, chart, legend – to change the format of that component.
Modified on 7/23/04
EXAMPLES OF CHARTS:
Cafeteria Usage
May March January November September
Desserts Beverages Soup Salads Sandwiches
STACKED BAR
0
50
100
150
Percentage
Cafeteria Usage
50 40 30 20 10 0
be r be r y ar ch ar m Ja nu m M ay
Percentage
Desserts Beverages Soup Salads Sandwiches
M
LINE GRAPH
Se p
N
ov e
te
Cafeteria Usage
45 40 35 30 25 20 15 10 5 0
ay M ch ar M y ar nu Ja ber em r be N pt Se ov
Desserts Beverages Soup Salads Sandwiches
Percentage
COLUMN GRAPH
em
Modified on 7/23/04