Excel Charts

Chart Types and Uses

  • Column charts: Compare numerical values for several categories (order not important).
  • Bar charts: Compare numerical values for categories, used when category text is long or showing 'Duration'.
  • Line graphs: Show trends, plotting data points connected by a line to estimate values between recorded ones.
  • Pie charts: Show categories as proportions of a whole, converting quantities into percentages.

How to Create a Chart

  • Select data values to plot.
  • Choose a chart type relevant to the data and desired representation.
    • Column graph: sales of different company branches over time.
    • Pie chart: portions of a whole.
  • Changes to data are immediately reflected in the chart.

Chart Elements

  • Axes: Vertical (y-axis/value axis) and horizontal (x-axis/category axis) lines for plotting data.
  • Data Range: The selected data to create the chart.
  • Series: Row/column headings making up the values used to create the graph.
  • Titles: Describe the chart, category axis, and value axis.
  • Gridlines: Incremental lines to read values more easily.
  • Legend: Cross-reference (key) showing series representation.
  • Data Labels: Actual values, percentages.
  • Data Table: Cells of values included at the bottom of the chart.

Creating a Chart in Excel

  1. Select data in worksheet.
  2. Insert Tab / Charts Group.
  3. Choose chart type.
  • Chart Design: Change chart features (titles, labels, legends, axes, gridlines).
    • Chart Layouts, Chart Styles, Data, Type, and Location groups.
  • Chart Location:
    • Move Chart icon to choose chart placement.