Selecting the right chart or graph will depend on the data you are trying to plot. Below is a listing of the more common types.
Column Chart: Charts used to display data arranged in columns and rows. Column charts are useful for showing data over a period of time.
Line Chart: Line charts display data that is set over a period of time, data used to display a trend.
Pie Chart: Charts used to display single data series.
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Bar Chart: These charts are similar to column charts but display at a horizontal angle. Used to compare individual items.
Area Chart: Chart used to emphasize the magnitude or rate of change.
Scatter (XY) Chart: Chart used to show a correlation between values
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CREATING A SIMPLE CHART
1. Highlight the data
a) Highlighting consecutive rows or columns: Highlight the first row in the range. Hold down the shift key and use your arrow keys to go up or down.
b) Highlighting the entire range: Click and drag with your mouse
c) Highlighting non-adjacent rows or columns: Highlight the first row or column in your range. Holding down your Ctrl key highlight the additional rows or columns in your range.
2. Click on the Insert Tab In the Charts group, select the down arrow under the chart heading and select a chart type.
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FORMATTING A CHART
1. Right-click on the chart element that you would like to format.
2. Select the format option at the bottom of the list. The name of the option will depend on the element you are trying to format.
You can also use the commands on the Chart Tools Contextual Tab, located on the Ribbon Bar to modify the design, layout and format.
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Design Tab: 1) Type: In this group you have the ability to change the current chart type as well as save the chart as a template for future charts.
2) Data: In this group you have the ability to switch the chart elements as well as add data to the chart.
3) Chart Layouts: In this group you have the ability to select various predefined layouts for your chart.
4) Chart Styles: In this group you have the ability to select various chart styles/ colors for your chart. 5) Location: In this group you can select where you want the chart to be placed by default the chart is placed in the current worksheet. Charts can be placed either in its own sheet (New Sheet) or in another sheet tab (Object in).
Layout Tab:
1) Current Selection: In this group you can select and modify sections of the chart.
2) Insert: In this group you can insert additional objects on the worksheet.
3) Labels: In this group you have the ability to add/change the labels on the chart.
4) Axes: In this group you have the ability to add/change axes information on the chart. 9
5) Background: In this group you have the ability to add/change 3-D chart effects
6) Analysis: In this group you have the ability to change analysis information on specific chart types.
7) Properties: Name the selected chart.
Format Tab:
1) Current Selection: In this group you can select and modify sections of the chart.
2) Shape Styles: Select a style for the selected shape.
3) WordArt Styles: Select a style for the text in your chart.
4) Arrange: Select how you would like to arrange the objects in your chart.
5) Size: Change the size of your chart area
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INSERTING SPARKLINES
Sparklines are tiny, word-sized charts that can appear in a cell. The Sparklines group appears on the Insert tab.
1. Click on the Insert tab in the Sparklines group select your preferred Sparkline
2. In the Create Sparklines box insert the Data Range and the Location Range of your data
Example:
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PRINTING
Chart and data
1. Click on the File tab click Print
Note: Chart and data must be on the same sheet.
Chart Only
1. Click on the chart
2. Click on the File tab click Print
Copyright 2012, Software Application Training Unit, West Chester University. A member of the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education. No portion of this document may be reproduced without the written permission of the authors. For assistance, call x3350.