Excel: Charts & Graphs

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Excel easily converts your data to charts and graphs right within the application. These items can be placed in PowerPoint presentations or Word documents with automatic updating!

Creating a Chart

  1. Select the data that is to be represented by the Chart (usually in a Table)
    • Select the cell(s) you want by clicking and dragging the cursor until all data is included in highlighted area
    • Totals are not typically included in a Chart
  2. Navigate to the Insert tab on the Ribbon
  3. In the Charts group, select the type of Chart you wish to create (click Recommended Charts to see what Excel recommends for the type of data selected)
    • Most popular Charts are Column, Pie and Bar
    • A brief description of each Chart type can be seen by hovering your cursor over the specific Chart type icon
  4. Click the dropdown for the desired Chart type to view all options
  5. Click desired option to insert selected Chart into Worksheet
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Excel_Insert_Chart-Dropdown_menu.png

Formatting a Chart

Moving & Resizing

  1. Select Chart by clicking anywhere on it- edges will appear
  2. Resize by placing cursor on any corner or center marker and dragging to desired size
  3. Move a Chart by clicking anywhere on chart; when cross arrows appear, drag to new location.

Excel_Moving_Chart.png

*NOTE: Formatting a Chart can be accomplished by using the Chart Tools contextual tab on the Ribbon, which appears anytime the Chart is selected in the Worksheet

Chart Title

  1. Insert a Chart Title by selecting the chart area and selecting the Chart Elements tool icon at the right of the Chart (green plus sign)
  2. Select check box next to Chart Title- Title box will appear on Chart
  3. Click in box to change Title as desired

Excel_Chart_Title.png

Chart Legend

A Chart Legend is a means of identifying the data in the Chart. Insert a Chart Legend by following the steps outlined above and selecting the Legend checkbox in the Chart Elements tool. 

Excel_Chart_Legend.png

Sparklines

A Sparkline shows the general shape of variation in one cell next to the data included for the Sparkline; it's a "mini-chart".

  1. Select the data to be represented by the Sparkline.
  2. Navigate to the Insert tab on the Ribbon 
  3. In the Sparklines group, select the desired type of Sparkline
  4. A dialog box will open to select a location for your Sparkline
  5. Enter cell location (or click on cell(s)) where Sparkline is to be inserted
  6. Click OK

Excel_Sparklines_Group.png Excel_Sparklines_Dialog_Box.png

Excel_Sparklines.png

*NOTE: To format the Sparklines, use the Sparkline Tools contextual tab on the Ribbon

Excel_Sparkline_Tools.png

Trendline

Trendlines illustrate data trends and enable predictions; a Trendline is particularly helpful with a Scatter Chart

  1. Access the Chart Elements tool; select checkbox next to Trendline
  2. To format the Trendline, go to Chart Tools contextual tab on Ribbon and select dropdown  for Shape Outline and Shape Effects

Excel_Trendline.png

Excel_Trendline_Format.png

 

Printing a Chart or Graph

To print your Chart or Graph from your Excel Worksheet without printing additional data: 

  1. Select the Chart on your Worksheet; go to the File tab and select Print.
  2. Select desired Settings and click Print

*NOTE: Failing to select the Chart or Graph prior to printing will print the entire Worksheet.