3 - Charts
3 - Charts
Charts
Introduction
It can be difficult to interpret Excel workbooks that contain a lot of data. Charts allow you to illustrate your
workbook data graphically, which makes it easy to visualize comparisons and trends.
Understanding charts
Excel has several different types of charts, allowing you to choose the one that best fits your data. In order to
use charts effectively, you'll need to understand how different charts are used.
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In addition to chart types, you'll need to understand how to read a chart. Charts contain several different
elements, or parts that can help you interpret the data.
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To insert a chart
1. Select the cells you want to chart, including the column titles and row labels. These cells will be the source
data for the chart. In our example, we'll select cells A1:F6.
2. From the Insert tab, click the desired Chart command. In our example, we'll select Column.
*If you're not sure which type of chart to use, the Recommended Charts command will suggest several different
charts based on the source data.
To edit a chart element, like a chart title, simply double-click the placeholder and begin typing.
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If you don't want to add chart elements individually, you can use one of Excel's predefined layouts. Simply
click the Quick Layout command, then choose the desired layout from the drop-down menu.
Excel also includes several chart styles, which allow you to quickly modify the look and feel of your chart. To
change the chart style, select the desired style from the Chart styles group. You can also click the drop-down
arrow on the right to see more styles.
*You can also use the chart formatting shortcut buttons to quickly add chart elements, change the chart style,
and filter the chart data.
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3. The rows and columns will be switched. In our example, the data is now grouped by month, with columns for
each genre.
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2. The Change Chart Type dialog box will appear. Select a new chart type and layout, then click OK. In our
example, we'll choose a Line chart.
3. The selected chart type will appear. In our example, the line chart makes it easier to see trends in sales data
over time.
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To move a chart
Whenever you insert a new chart, it will appear as an object on the same worksheet that contains its source
data. Alternatively, you can move the chart to a new worksheet to help keep your data organized.
1. Select the chart you want to move.
2. Click the Design tab, then select the Move Chart command.
3. The Move Chart dialog box will appear. Select the desired location for the chart. In our example, we'll choose
to move it to a New sheet, which will create a new worksheet.
4. Click OK.
5. The chart will appear in the selected location. In our example, the chart now appears on a new worksheet.
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If you frequently add more data to your spreadsheet, it may become tedious to update the data range. Luckily,
there is an easier way. Simply format your source data as a table, then create a chart based on that table. When
you add more data below the table, it will automatically be included in both the table and the chart, keeping
everything consistent and up to date.
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ACTIVITY