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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Method 1
Select the data to chart (B4:E7). Hit the F11 key. Excel creates the default column chart and 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.

Widget A Widget B Widget C

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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 Radar Cone, Cylinder, Pyramid Column Line Doughnut

Bubble Surface Area Bar Pie Stock

XY scatter

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

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

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 a

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

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,

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 a

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

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 focu

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 o

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

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 s

rtTypes.aspx

veral 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 an

orresponding y values in the adjacent rows or columns.

he value of a third variable.

ding 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.

e same measure of tensile strength.

mn and bar charts.

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

ates 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.

d 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.

e 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

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.

See the two examples below.

Example 1:
Time 13:01 13:25 13:45 14:01 14:25 14:45 Temp 23.0 22.5 21.0 20.1 19.5 19.4 Predicted Temp 22.1 22.2 22.0 20.8 20.2 20.1 Temperature
23.5 23.0 22.5 22.0 21.5 21.0 20.5 20.0 19.5 19.0 12:28

Actual vs. Predicted Temperature

12:57

13:26

X Values

Y Values

Example 2:
Months Open Sales in Thousands

10 40 50 70 120

100 150 200 250 300

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.

Sales in Thousands

350 300 250 200 150

Months Open Sales in Thousands

The column chart at left isn't

very satisfactory representat

the data. The X axis doesn't r

Sales in Thousands

200 150 100 50 0 1 2 3 4 5 Months Open

months open; months open s be plotted as columns.

An XY Plot of the Data

350 300 Sales in Thousands 250 200 150 100 50 0 0 20 40 60 80 100 120 140

The scatter plot is best suite

With the data plotted as one

the relationship between ope

amounts is much more eviden

Months Open

See the two examples below.

l vs. Predicted Temperature

Temp Predicted Temp

13:26

13:55

14:24

14:52

Time

ail stores. about how

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 Widget A Widget B Widget C Contents: Display Data in Rows or Columns Change Data Markers Add or Delete Data Add or Modify Labels Change Axis Scale Location & Printing 2,500 1,100 4,320 Feb 3,250 980 4,289 Mar 4,260 1,289 4,090 The basic chart data.

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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The original, default cha

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Widget A Widget B

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Widget A Widget B

Format the data series with different fill colors (and gradients).
Widget A Widget B

Format the data series and increase gap width between bars. 3,250 2,500
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Change one data marker fill to a picture instead of solid fill.

Values added to the top of each data marker.

Change one data marker fill to a picture instead of solid fill.

Values added to the top of each data marker.

4. Change Axis Scale

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Right-click the Y Axis, choose Format Axis the "Scale" tab.

5. Add or Delete Data

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Widget A Widget B

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Widget A Widget B

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.

6. Location & Printing

The last Chart Wizard step embedding your chart in t the data that Excel adds to the wor

Whatever you decide in th change your mind later.

To move a chart from its worksheet, right click the Location 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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Widget A Widget B

Format the data series and reduce gap width between bars.
Widget A Widget B

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Widget A

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Widget B

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of each data

Series names added to the top of each marker, replacing the legend.

of each data

Series names added to the top of each marker, replacing the legend.

xis, choose Format Axis, then e "Scale" tab.

tep 2 and select the

range to add or exclude button to return

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.