H:\ACT12.DOC
Activity 12 Microsoft Excel - graphs and charts
Getting started
If you do not already have the worksheet which you created in Activity 11 open this now. In this Activity we are going to construct charts and graphs using Excel. We aim that you will be able to construct; Pie chart Bar chart (histogram) and Be aware of other charts which are possible.
Aims for this Activity
Introduction
In this first section we are going to construct a pie diagram (pie chart) which shows the various levels of crime which contribute to the total crime level for 1981. Column J. A pie chart is divided into sections in which each selection is a part of the whole in a ratio of (value/total)*360o (there are 360 degrees in a circle hence the 360)
Getting Excel to do the work
Highlight the labels which we will be using in this activity. These are the row labels in column 1 so highlight A2 to A10 Now hold down CTRL and highlight the data in column J - cells J1 to J10 DO NOT include J11 - this is the total of J2 to J10 Both items in column A and column J are now highlighted. Click Insert/Chart and click on the Pie Chart
H:\ACT12.DOC
If you click on 'Press and hold to see sample' Excel will offer you a glimpse of the final chart. You have a variety of chart styles to choose from. I rather like the one bottom left so click on that and then click NEXT> Excel now offers you the chance to check things are right. If it looks ok click NEXT> On the next screen click you will see 3 tabs at the top of the dialog box. Click on 'Data Labels' then click on 'Show Labels and Percent' Click on 'Legend' and ensure that Show Label is UNCHECKED Click on 'Title' and, if you wish, add a title Click NEXT> You have now reached the final dialog box. Click 'As new Sheet' and add a name for your new sheet to the box (I have called mine 'my first chart') Now click FINISH
H:\ACT12.DOC
You have now created a new sheet (your data is still in the workbook under the tab you named earlier) You will note that your chart is difficult to read at the top because the labels are over each other. Click on this jumble and drag the labels so they can be read.
H:\ACT12.DOC
Making a bar chart
Highlight the data you are going to chart. In this case we are going to chart the differences between crimes in 1981 and 1994 in England and Wales. Highlight B1 to B10 and then hold down CTRL and highlight D1 to D10 (both columns should now be highlighted together). Click INSERT/Chart and select Column From the options available select the one top left. If you wish you can preview the chart by clicking on the bar. Click NEXT> Check the view Click on the tab labeled SERIES and click on the icon to the right hand side of category X axis. A small box opens. Highlight the labels in column A (A2 to A10) and hit enter (return) click NEXT> On the tabs at the top of the dialog box: Click Legend and UNCHECK the Show Legend box You are now at the final dialog box. Check the 'As new Sheet' box and type in a name for your chart (I have called mine 'bar chart'). Click FINISH
H:\ACT12.DOC
More work
You should explore the various charts which you can create as a part of Excel. REMEMBER though that not all graph types are suitable in all circumstances. NOTE Especially that line charts are rarely suitable for the purpose which students tend to use them - a line chart should ONLY be used when there is a clear relationship at each and every point on the line between the two variables. If in doubt ASK SAVE YOUR WORK
Review
In this activity you have seen how to construct a pie chart and a bar chart using Excel.