How to Graph Data in Microsoft Excel 1

Physical Science—Mr. Blair

Example 1: XY Scatter

Organize the numbers into two columns. The first column corresponds to the X Axis; the
second column corresponds to the Y Axis.

Next, highlight the two columns which have numbers in them. Then click the Chart

Wizard. The Chart Wizard icon looks like this:

Select “XY (Scatter)”

Then click “Next”

“Series in” Columns should be selected
Click “Next”
Title the chart and the X and Y axis.
I’ve chosen the graph that’s found on page 23 in your textbook: Mass vs. Volume of
Water.
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Physical Science—Mr. Blair

Click “Next”

Step 4 of the Chart Wizard asks about the location of the graph. Would you like it to
appear in your excel document as a part of the current sheet or as a new sheet entirely?
To keep it in the current sheet, select “As object in” Sheet1. Click “Finish”

Now you’ve got a graph that looks like this:

To change it to a graph with lines instead of just dots, select the columns again. Click
the chart wizard. Select XY (Scatter). This time instead of choosing the top “Chart sub-
type,” choose the one that is described as, “Scatter with data points connected by
smoothed lines”
TIP: You can easily see what your graph will look like before you go through all the
tedious steps by clicking and holding the “Press and Hold to View Sample” button!
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Physical Science—Mr. Blair
Example 2: Bar Graphs
Go about making Bar Graphs in much the same way as the scatter graph. Instead of
choosing scatter, choose Bar Graph. Try these numbers:

98
91
41.2
117
25.1
166.9
30.5

Enter all the numbers in a column like this: (this time I’ve used column D)

Select the numbers in the column and then click the Chart Wizard. Chose Column and
use the “Clustered Column” sub-type.

Click “Next.” Click on the tab “Data Labels” and select “Value” to make the actual
values appear above each bar. Title the Chart. Click the “Legend” tab and unselect
“Show Legend.” Click “Next.” Now click “Finish” to place the graph in Sheet1.
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Physical Science—Mr. Blair

Example 3: Circle or Pie Graph

Let’s say I want to graph what kinds of veggies that I eat.

25% of the time I eat Green Beans

15% of the time I eat Broccoli
44% of the time I eat Carrots
7% of the time I eat Squash
3% of the time I eat Celery
6% of the time I eat Okra

Enter the numbers into a Column. Also enter the types of vegetables into a column next
to the numbers. Select the blocks which hold the numbers. Click the Chart Wizard.
Select “Pie” and choose the sub-type you think will best fit your information. Click
“Next.” Click the “Series” Tab to label your graph. Click the icon to the right of
“Category Labels”
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Physical Science—Mr. Blair

After you’ve clicked where I circled, this pops up

Then select the columns that have the names of the vegetables—They will automatically
be encoded into the pop-up. Click the little icon on the right side of the pop-up.
Your screen should look like this:

Notice that to the right of the pie chart all the squares have veggie names.
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Physical Science—Mr. Blair
Click “Next” again and then title your chart. Click on the “Data Labels” Tab. Select
“Category Name” and “Percentage.” Then click “Next.” Click “Finish.”
Your graph should look like this: