- Charts
(graphs) present information in a pictorial format, making it easier to see patterns, trends, and relationships.
- Guidelines for planning a chart
- determine purpose
- determine the results you want to see
- Identify worksheet data you want to illustrate
- Understand elements of a chart
- Pie chart
Compares parts to a whole.
- Line chart
Shows trends over time.
- Column
compares to distinct object levels using a vertical format.
- Bar
compares distinct object levels using horizontal format.
- Area
shows how individual volume changes over time in relation to total volume.
- Scatter
compares trends over uneven time or measurement intervals.
- X-Axis
horizontal axis.
- Y-axis
vertical axis
- Category axis
(horizontal) contains names of data groups such as locations, months or years.
- Value axis
(vertical) contains numerical values that help interpret size of chart elements.
- Z-Axis
contained in 3-D charts for comparing data across both categories and values.
- Plot area
area inside the horizontal and vertical axis.
- Tick marks
left edge of the vertical axis.
- Gridlines
extend across the plot area.
- Data point
each value selected in a cell.
- Data marker
visually represents each data point.
- Data series
collection of related data points.
- Legend
identify the data series.
- to create a chart in excel
you must first make a spreadsheet – then click insert, chart.
- Embedded
means it is inserted directly in a current worksheet.
- Sizing handles
small series of dots at the corners and sides of the chart’s border.
- Chart sheet
sheet in a workbook that contains only a chart – which is linked to the workbook data.
