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
Jan Feb Mar
Widget A 2,500 3,250 4,260
Widget B 1,100 980 1,289
Widget C 4,320 4,289 4,090 4,500
4,000
3,500
Method 1 3,000
2,500
Select the data to chart (B4:E7). 2,000
1,500
Hit the F11 key. 1,000
500
Excel creates the default column chart and -

locates it on a new worksheet. Jan Feb Mar

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.
4,500
4,000
3,500
3,000
2,500 Widget A
2,000 Widget B
1,500 Widget C
1,000
500
-
Jan Feb Mar
 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 tot

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 divisions

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. E

Stock

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

A stock chart that measures volume has two value axes: one for the columns that measure volume, and the other for the st
artTypes.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: Actual vs. Predicted Temperature

Time Temp Predicted Temp 23.0
22.5
13:01 23.0 22.1
22.0
13:25 22.5 22.2
21.5
13:45 21.0 22.0
21.0
14:01 20.1 20.8 20.5
14:25 19.5 20.2 20.0
14:45 19.4 20.1 19.5
19.0
X Values Y Values 12:57 13:12 13:26 13:40 13:55 14:09 14:24 14:38 1

Example 2:
Months Sales in At left is data collected from five retail stores.
Open Thousands For each store, we have information about how
10 100 long the store has been open and it's average
40 150 monthly sales. We need to create a chart that
shows the relationship between length of time
50 200 open and sales.
70 250
120 300

300
The column chart at left isn't
250
very satisfactory representati
200
Months Open the data. The X axis doesn't re
150
Sales in months open; months open sh
100 Thousands
be plotted as columns.
50
0
Row 26 Row 27 Row 28 Row 29 Row 30

An XY Plot of the Data The scatter plot is best suited

300 With the data plotted as one s
275 the relationship between open
amounts is much more eviden
Sales in Thousands

250
225
200
175
150
 An XY Plot of the Data
300
275

Sales in Thousands
250
225
200
175
150
125
100
10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100 110 120
Months Open
 See the two
examples below.

al vs. Predicted Temperature

Temp
Predicted Temp

3:40 13:55 14:09 14:24 14:38 14:52

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
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
Jan Feb Mar
Widget A 2,500 3,250 4,260 The basic chart data.
Widget B 1,100 980 1,289
Widget C 4,320 4,289 4,090

Contents:

Display Data in Rows or Columns Add or Modify Labels

Change Data Markers Change Axis Scale
Add or Delete Data 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

 3,500

3,000
3. Change Data Markers 2,500

2,000
Widget A
1,500
Widget B
1,000 The original, default char
500

Jan Feb

3,500 3,500

3,000 3,000

2,500 2,500
2,000 2,000
Widget A Widget A
1,500 1,500
Widget B Widget B
1,000 1,000
500 500

- -
Jan Feb Jan Feb

Format the data series with different fill Format the data series and increase
colors (and gradients). gap width between bars.
3,500 3,500 3,250
3,000 3,000

2,500 2,500
2,500
2,000 2,000
Widget A Widget A
1,500 1,500
Widget B 1,100 980 Widget B
1,000 1,000

500 500

- -
Jan Feb Jan Feb

Change one data marker fill to a picture Values added to the top of each data
instead of solid fill. marker.

4. Change Axis Scale

5,000

4,000

3,000
Widget A
Widget B
2,000

1,000

- Right-click the Y Axis, choose Format Axis, then

Jan Feb the "Scale" tab.
5. Add or Delete Data
3,500

3,000

2,500

2,000
Widget A
1,500
Widget B
1,000

500

-
Jan Feb

4,500
4,000
3,500
3,000 1. Select the chart.
2,500 2. Re-open the Chart Wizard.
Widget A
2,000
Widget B 3. Go to the Wizard Step 2 and select the
1,500
1,000
"Data Range" tab.
500 4. Redefine the data range to add or exclude
- data.
Jan Feb Mar 5. Click the Wizard's Finish button to return
to the modified chart.

6. Location & Printing

The last Chart Wizard step

embedding your chart in th
the data orputting the char
that Excel adds to the work

Whatever you decide in thi

change your mind later.

To move a chart from its o

worksheet, right click the c
Location from the pop-up m
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.
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.

3,500

3,000

2,500

2,000
Widget A Widget A
1,500
Widget B Widget B
1,000

500

-
Jan Feb

d increase Format the data series and reduce gap

bars. width between bars.
3,500

3,000

2,500

2,000
Widget A
1,500
Widget B
980 1,000

500

-
Jan Feb

of each data 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.