Creating Charts

Table of Contents:

 Bijou Computer Applications Class

 

 

- Take the Test

(Test is partly from this lesson but mostly a cumulative test)

Creating a data table

Charts turn data into information. In building charts you analyze information, quantify it, and present it visually. Charts make it easier to interpret and relate to data.

Creating a chart starts with a data table, which consists of the chart’s titles and the numbers that make it up.

Entering data into a data table

  1. On the Standard toolbar, click the Insert Microsoft Excel Worksheet button.
  2. Click and drag to create a worksheet 4 down by 3 across.

  1. Enter the following data into the worksheet:


  • It can be more efficient when you enter data to Press TAB to move across from cell to cell in the worksheet, and press Enter to move from cell to cell downward.
  1. You can widen the columns so the words fit better by placing the cursor over the line in between B and C and between C and D. When it looks like a double arrow with lines between, drag the column wider.

Using the Chart wizard

The Chart wizard takes you step-by-step through the charting process.

Starting the Chart Wizard
 
  1. Click the Chart Wizard button that has appeared on the Standard Toolbar because you have an Excel table open with data in it:


     
  2. The titles and data you just typed should already be Selected, and a window should appear that lets you choose the type of chart, or graph, that you want to display.
  3. On the Standard Types tab, under Chart type, Column should already be selected.
  4. Under Chart sub-type, in the right pane, select the image described as a "Clustered column with a 3-D visual effect." :     
     

     
  1. Click and hold the button that says "Press and Hold to View Sample." This gives you a quick preview that your data is going to produce a decent graph.
  2. Click Next.
  3. On the Data Range tab, under Series in, Columns should be the default.
  4. Click Next.
  5. Click Next.
  6. Under Place chart, click the As a new sheet option.
  7. Click Finish.
  8. Grab the lower right corner and enlarge the chart to better fit the page.
  9. Click outside the chart, somewhere on the document.

Your graph is now in your Word document as shown in the example.

... For a great deal more information on using Excel charts, go to the Excel Charts Lesson

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