Excel Charting Basics

About Excel Charts

Building a Chart: Two Methods
A Gallery of Chart Types
Focus on the XY (Scatter) Chart Type
Customizing a Chart

About Excel Charts

An Excel chart provides a graphical view of worksheet data.

A chart is linked to the worksheet data from which it's
created. When the worksheet data changes, the chart
changes automatically.
Charts are almost infinitely customizable. For example:
Even after your chart is created, you can add data to it or
delete data from it.
Change the chart type at any time.
Right-click almost any element of a chart to see its
context menu; then modify the element.
Add your own text to a chart.
Use graphics (instead of geometric shapes) as data markers.
Etc.
A chart in a worksheet "floats" on the surface of the sheet. You
can move a chart "over" worksheet contents without disturbing them.

ew of worksheet data.

a from which it's

anges, the chart

ble. For example:

u can add data to it or

chart to see its

shapes) as data markers.

surface of the sheet. You

ntents without disturbing them.

Building an Excel Chart

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Select the data to chart (B4:E7).

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Hit the F11 key.

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locates it on a new worksheet.

Method 2
Select the data to chart (B4:E7).
Go through the 4 Chart Wizard steps.
Excel creates the chart based on your
Wizard-prompt selections.

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Chart Types: A Gallery of Chart Examples

From: http://office.microsoft.com/assistance/2002/articles/ExamplesofChartTypes.aspx

Excel supports many kinds of charts to help you display data in ways that are most
meaningful to your audience. Here's a gallery of chart examples to help you
determine which kinds of charts are best for your data.
Contents:

XY Scatter

Bubble

Radar

Surface

Cone, Cylinder, Pyramid

Area

Column

Bar

Line

Pie

Doughnut

Stock

XY scatter

An xy (scatter) chart either shows the relationships among the numeric values in several data series, or plots two groups of

When you arrange your data, place x values in one row or column, and then enter corresponding y values in the adjacent ro

Bubble

A bubble chart is a type of xy (scatter) chart. The size of the data marker indicates the value of a third variable.

To arrange your data, place the x values in one row or column, and enter corresponding y values and bubble sizes in the adj

The chart in this example shows that Company A has the most products and the greatest market share, but not the highest

Radar
A radar chart compares the aggregate values of a number of data series.

In this chart, the data series that covers the most area, Brand A, represents the brand with the highest vitamin content.

Surface

A surface chart is useful when you want to find optimum combinations between two sets of data. As in a topographic map, c

This chart shows the various combinations of temperature and time that result in the same measure of tensile strength.

Cone, Cylinder, Pyramid

The cone, cylinder, and pyramid data markers can lend a dramatic effect to 3-D column and bar charts.

Area

An area chart emphasizes the magnitude of change over time. By displaying the sum of the plotted values, an area chart als

In this example, an area chart emphasizes increased sales in Washington and illustrates the contribution of each state to to

Column

A column chart shows data changes over a period of time or illustrates comparisons among items. Categories are organized

Stacked column charts show the relationship of individual items to the whole. The 3-D perspective column chart compares d

In this 3-D chart, you can compare four quarters of sales performance in Europe with the performance of two other division

Bar
A bar chart illustrates comparisons among individual items. Categories are organized vertically, values horizontally, to focus

Stacked bar charts show the relationship of individual items to the whole.

Line
A line chart shows trends in data at equal intervals.

Pie

A pie chart shows the proportional size of items that make up a data series to the sum of the items. It always shows only on

To make small slices easier to see, you can group them together as one item in a pie chart and then break down that item in

Doughnut

Like a pie chart, a doughnut chart shows the relationship of parts to a whole, but it can contain more than one data series.

Stock
The high-low-close chart is often used to illustrate stock prices. This chart can also be used for scientific data; for example,

A stock chart that measures volume has two value axes: one for the columns that measure volume, and the other for the st

rtTypes.aspx

eral data series, or plots two groups of numbers as one series of xy coordinates. This chart shows uneven intervals &151; or clusters &151; of data and

rresponding y values in the adjacent rows or columns.

he value of a third variable.

ing y values and bubble sizes in the adjacent rows or columns.

atest market share, but not the highest sales.

nd with the highest vitamin content.

sets of data. As in a topographic map, colors and patterns indicate areas that are in the same range of values.

same measure of tensile strength.

mn and bar charts.

of the plotted values, an area chart also shows the relationship of parts to a whole.

tes the contribution of each state to total sales.

among items. Categories are organized horizontally, values vertically, to emphasize variation over time.

D perspective column chart compares data points along two axes.

h the performance of two other divisions.

vertically, values horizontally, to focus on comparing values and to place less emphasis on time.

m of the items. It always shows only one data series and is useful when you want to emphasize a significant element.

chart and then break down that item in a smaller pie or bar chart next to the main chart.

an contain more than one data series. Each ring of the doughnut chart represents a data series.

e used for scientific data; for example, to indicate temperature changes. You must organize your data in the correct order to create this and other stock

easure volume, and the other for the stock prices. You can include volume in a high-low-close or open-high-low-close chart.

als &151; or clusters &151; of data and is commonly used for scientific data.

ect order to create this and other stock charts.

The XY (Scatter) Chart Type

See the two

examples below.

An xy (scatter) chart either shows the relationships among the

numeric values in several data series, or plots two groups of
numbers as one series of xy coordinates. The XY chart shows uneven
intervals or clusters of data and is commonly used for scientific
data. When you arrange your data, place x values in one row or column,
and then enter corresponding y values in the adjacent rows or columns.

Example 1:
Temp

13:01

23.0

22.1

13:25

22.5

22.2

13:45

21.0

22.0

14:01

20.1

20.8

14:25

19.5

20.2

14:45

19.4

20.1

X Values

Actual vs. Predicted Temperature

Predicted Temp
Temperature

Time

24.0
23.0
22.0
21.0
20.0
19.0
18.0
17.0
12:43

12:57

13:12

13:26

13:40

13:55

14:09

Time

Y Values

Sales in Thousands

Example 2:
Months
Open

Sales in
Thousands

10

100

40

150

50

200

70

250

120

300

350

Months Open

300

Sales in Thousands

At left is data collected from five retail stores.

For each store, we have information about how
long the store has been open and it's average
monthly sales. We need to create a chart that
shows the relationship between length of time
open and sales.

The column chart at left isn't

very satisfactory representati
the data. The X axis doesn't r
months open; months open sh

250
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100
50
0
1

2
3
Months Open

Sales in Thousands

350

Months Open

300

Sales in Thousands

250
200
150

be plotted as columns.

100
50
0
1

2
3
Months Open

The scatter plot is best suited

With the data plotted as one
the relationship between ope
amounts is much more eviden

An XY Plot of the Data

350

Sales in Thousands

300
250
200
150
100
50
0
0

20

40

60

80

Months Open

100

120

140

See the two

examples below.

l vs. Predicted Temperature

13:12

Temp
Predicted Temp

13:26

13:40

13:55

14:09

14:24

14:38

Time

ail stores.
about how
average
hart that
h of time

The column chart at left isn't a

very satisfactory representation of
the data. The X axis doesn't represent
months open; months open shouldn't

14:52

be plotted as columns.

The scatter plot is best suited for this data.

With the data plotted as one series of XY coordinates
the relationship between open months and sales
amounts is much more evident.

Customizing Charts
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The basic chart data.

Contents:
Display Data in Rows or Columns
Change Data Markers
Add or Delete Data

Add or Modify Labels

Change Axis Scale
Location & Printing

1. Display data in ROWS or COLUMNS.

Make this choice in Step 2 of the Chart Wizard.

Do you want Months to display on the X axis and Widget items to display in the legend or the reverse?

2. Add or Modify Labels

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3. Change Data Markers

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Format the data series with different fill

colors (and gradients).

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Format the data series and increase

gap width between bars.
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Change one data marker fill to a picture

instead of solid fill.

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Values added to the top of each data

marker.

4. Change Axis Scale

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the "Scale" tab.

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5. Add or Delete Data

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6. Location & Printing

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1. Select the chart.

2. Re-open the Chart Wizard.
3. Go to the Wizard Step 2 and select the
"Data Range" tab.
4. Redefine the data range to add or exclude
data.
5. Click the Wizard's Finish button to return
to the modified chart.

The last Chart Wizard step

embedding your chart in th
the data orputting the cha
that Excel adds to the wor

Whatever you decide in th

change your mind later.

To move a chart from its o

worksheet, right click the
Location from the pop-up
different worksheet.

Use the same technique m

on a sheet to its own work

To print a chart on its own worksheet choose File, Print from the menus.
Or, for more options in how the chart will display on the page, choose File, Page
Setup and click the "Chart" tab. Select from the "Printed chart size" options.
To print only the chart on a worksheet with data, click the chart to select it and
then choose File, Print or File, Page Setup. The same print options described
above apply.
To print a chart AND other data on the same worksheet, highlight the range that
includes the data and the chart and choose File, Print and then "Selection". Then
choose Preview mode to see what Excel will print.

he legend or the reverse?

Step 3 of the Chart Wizard

gives you the chance to add

a chart title and axis labels.

Or, select the chart and start
typing. What you enter is stored
in a text box on the chart that
you can format, move, and size
as you please.

The original, default chart.

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width between bars.

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Series names added to the top of each

marker, replacing the legend.

xis, choose Format Axis, then

e "Scale" tab.

Wizard.
tep 2 and select the

range to add or exclude

Finish button to return

art.

The last Chart Wizard step gives you the choice of

embedding your chart in the same worksheet with
the data orputting the chart on a new worksheet
that Excel adds to the workbook.
Whatever you decide in this step, you can always
change your mind later.

To move a chart from its own sheet to another

worksheet, right click the chart and choose
Location from the pop-up menu. Then choose a
different worksheet.
Use the same technique move a chart embedded
on a sheet to its own worksheet.