How to Make a Graph in Microsoft Excel

Often when presenting data, whether it be for a presentation or to understand how the
independent and dependent variables are related, it is good to do this using a graph. This set of
instructions is intended to show how to format your data in a way that can easily be graphed, and
then how to graph that data. Before you begin, ensure that you have Microsoft Excel downloaded
on your computer or laptop. Commented [c1]: Add boxes for better visual framing

Formatting Data Data Formatting

1. Open Microsoft Excel on your device.
2. Title your first column of data.
2. * This is your independent variable, which will be on the x-axis. Be sure Formatted: Normal, Indent: Left: 0.94", No bullets or
to include units. For this example, the independent variable is time. * numbering
Formatted: Font: (Default) Times New Roman, 12 pt
3. Title second column of data and include units.
3. * This is the dependent your dependent variable. which means that it is Formatted: Font: (Default) Times New Roman, 12 pt
dependent on the independent variable. For this example, it is displacement. * Formatted: Normal, Indent: Left: 1", No bullets or
numbering
4. Insert data into the table into a descending fashion. The table will look like the following:
Time (t) [sec] Displacment (x) [meters]
0 0
1 95.095
2 180.38
Second Column (y):
First Column (x): 3 255.855
Dependent Variable
independent variable 4 321.52
5 377.375
6 423.42
7 459.655
8 486.08
9 502.695
10 509.5
11 506.495
12 493.68
13 471.055
14 438.62
15 396.375
16 344.32
17 282.455
18 210.78
19 129.295
20 38
Graphing Data Formatted: Font color: Accent 1

1. Select the “Insert” tab in the top left of the window then. Then select the “Insert Scatter
or Bubble Chart” button.

2. Within this tab, cClick on the top right option, titled “Scatter.”
2. Once this is complete, a white rectangle will appear on your spreadsheet. Formatted: Font: (Default) Times New Roman, 12 pt
Formatted: Normal, Indent: Left: 0.75", No bullets or
3. Right click on the new white rectangle and select “Select Data…” Now click “Add.”
numbering
4. Click inside the “Series X Values:” box and then highlight every value in your first
Formatted: Font: (Default) Times New Roman, 12 pt
column of data.

5. Click inside the “Series Y Values:” box and delete everything in the box.
6. Then h Highlight all the data from your second column of data and select “OK” twice.
5. *Your plot should look like the following: this: *
Formatted: Normal, Indent: First line: 0.5", No bullets
or numbering
Formatted: Font: (Default) Times New Roman, 12 pt
Formatted: Font: (Default) Times New Roman, 12 pt
Formatting Graph Formatted: Font color: Accent 1

1. Click on the plus sign which is located on the top right of just outside the graph and
select the “Axis Titles” box.
2. Put Type your titles on the two axes and include units.
3. Right click on one of the data points and select “Add Trendline…”
4. Select the trendline option that best follows the path of the data.
4. * For this example, the “polynomial” trendline fits best. * Formatted: Indent: Left: 0.5", No bullets or numbering
 Formatted: Left

5. Select the box “Display Equation on Chart” and then move the equation to an appropriate
location place where it does not cover any of the data points.
6. * Your graph should look like the following: * Formatted: Indent: Left: 0.5", First line: 0.5", No
bullets or numbering