Step 1: Select the data for the chart. Your choice of data should include items such as labels and series identifiers (row/column headings). The data you choose does not have to be in contiguous cells. Press Ctrl and click the cells to be added.
Step 2: Choose a chart type by selecting Insert>Charts group. Each control is a drop-down list, which lets you further refine your choice by selecting a subtype. You can let Excel recommend a chart type here. Chose Insert>Charts>Recommended Charts.
Step 2: Choose a chart type by selecting Insert>Charts group. Each control is a drop-down list, which lets you further refine your choice by selecting a subtype. You can let Excel recommend a chart type here. Chose Insert>Charts>Recommended Charts.
Practice Exercise 18 – Create a chart
Still using data file FIRST RANGE TO TABLE EXERCISE. Select tab CREATING A CHART.
STEP 1: We will be using the range to the right for creating our chart. But first we need to convert this range (FIGURE 1) into a table. That will be done next. Note: You do NOT have to convert a range into a table to create a chart. A chart can also be created from a range. |
FIGURE 1
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STEP 6: A Clustered Column chart is the best chart that Excel is recommending to you based on the data you provided in Step 1 (FIGURE 6).
If you prefer, you could select one of the other chart types shown. However, the column chart is the chart we’ll go with for this exercise. Select OK button. |
FIGURE 6
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STEP 7: Excel will insert the chart in the middle of the sheet. You can move the chart by dragging it by its border.
You can also resize it by selecting one of the corners and dragging it to the desired size. The 3 icons to the right of the chart are (FIGURE 7):
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FIGURE 7
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Step 8: You can add or edit different parts of the chart. To select a particular area of the chart you have multiple options.
A. You can go up to the Ribbon and in the Chart Layouts section, select Add Chart Element (FIGURE 8). We will work with this feature a little later. |
FIGURE 8
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FIGURE 9
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STEP 9: You can select what variations of the basic column chart style you would like to add (if any).
You have 2 options available: A. On the Chart Tools contextual tab, select the Design tab. You have a palette of choices up on the Ribbon (FIGURE 10). B. You can also select a variation by selecting the Chart Styles icon that appears to the right of the chart (FIGURE 11). |
FIGURE 10
FIGURE 11
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This is the end of this section. To continue, go to Module 3 Section 3.3 Customize a Chart; Practice Exercises 19 – 22