[ Home ] [ Up ] [ Introduction to Excel ] [ Entering a Range of Data ] [ Formatting Cells to Match Data Types ] [ Cut, Copy, Paste and Move Data ] [ Inserting and Deleting Rows and Columns ] [ Entering and Replicating Formulas ] [ Using Simple Functions ] [ Producing Charts with Labels ] [ Printing Selected Areas ]

Producing Charts with Labels

Vocabulary

Creating a Chart

Resizing Your Chart

Moving Your Chart

Changing Style and Colour of Chart Background

Changing the Plot Area Background

Changing the Data Series Format

Changing The Chart Type

Changing The Series Source Data

Changing Chart Options

Changing the Location of Your Chart

Vocabulary

Chart: A chart is a graphical representation of a set of data.  It can look like a line graph, a bar chart, or a pie chart for example.

Data Series: A group of related data.  In a chart each data series will have its own colour.

Creating a Chart

1. Select the range of data you wish to include in your chart.
2. Click the chart wizard button on the Standard Toolbar.

Step 1:  Chart Type Selection

3. Select the type of chart you wish to use.                                                       
4. When finished with this step click the next button.

Step: 2  Source Data Selection

5. In the next step you will see an example of your chart.  Check to make sure that it looks correct and that the range is correct.  If the range is not correct type the correct range in the data range field or click on the wizard collapse button and then re-select your range. 
6. In this step you can also choose if you wish your data series comes from the rows of your spreadsheet or the columns.                                                                                                 
7. Click on the Series tab and in the Name field type the name for this series of data.
8. The Category label section of the chart wizard is where you can choose the names for your chart legend.  Click on the collapse button.                                             
9. Highlight the data names you want to use in your legend then click on the collapse button again.
10. When finished with this step click the Next button.

Step 3: Chart Options

9. Type titles for your chart, x axis, and y axis in the corresponding fields in the chart wizard.
10. Click on the Gridlines Tab then choose which gridlines you want to be presented in your chart.
11. Click on the Data Labels Tab then click on the various options to decide if you want the corresponding labels to appear on the chart.
12. Click on the next button when you are satisfied with your chart.

Step 4: Chart Location

13. Choose if you want your chart to be displayed in the worksheet the data came from or in a new worksheet.                                                                              
14. Click on the Finish button.

Resizing Your Chart

If you want to work with your chart it must be selected.  You can always tell if you chart is selected if border and sizing handles are visible.                                                     

To resize your chart follow these instructions:

1. Click and hold on a sizing handle.
2. Drag the chart to the desired size.
3. Release the mouse button.

Moving Your Chart

1. If your chart is not already selected then do so.
2. Click and hold anywhere on the the chart background.
3. Drag the chart to a new location.

Changing Style and Colour of Chart Background

1. Right-click on the charts background and select Format Chart Area.  Or choose the Format Chart Area button from the chart toolbar.
2. Click on the Patterns tab and choose the border style and background colour.
3. Click on the Font Tab and choose from the various options presented to you.

Changing the Plot Area Background

1. Right click on the plot area background and select Format Plot Area.
2. Choose the border type and background colour you wish.
3. Click OK.

Changing the Data Series Format

1. Right click on the data series you wish to format and click on Format Data Series.
2. At this point the only tab you are going to want to use is the Patterns Tab.  In this area you can choose the colour or border options for your data series.

Changing The Chart Type

If you wish to change the type of chart you are using then do this:

1. Right-click on the chart background and select the Chart Type option.
2. Once done this will take you back to Step 1 of the Chart Wizard.  Click on the hyperlink to see how to change your source option.  Click on OK when finished.

Changing The Series Source Data

If you want to change the data from which your series is being drawn follow these steps:

1. Right-click on the chart background and select the Source Data option from the drop down menu.
2. Once done this will take you back to Step 2 of the Chart Wizard.  Click on the hyperlink to see how to change your source option.  Click on OK when finished.

Changing Chart Options

If you want to add in titles or gridlines you can do this with these guidelines.

1. Right-click on the chart background and choose Chart Options from the drop down menu.
2. Doing this will take you back to Step 3 of the Chart Wizard.  Click on the hyperlink to see how to change your Chart Options.  Click on OK when finished.

Changing the Location of Your Chart

If you want to change the location of your chart (i.e. if the chart is embedded in the same worksheet or a new worksheet) then follow these instructions:

1. Right-click on the chart background and select Location from the drop down menu.
2. Doing this will take you back to Step 4 of the Chart Wizard.  Click on the hyperlink to see how to change your Chart Options.  Click on OK when finished.