Excel 2003: Chart types

Column chart Shows data changes over a period of time Shows data changes over a period of time Or illustrates comparisons among items Or illustrates comparisons among items Descriptive categories are organized horizontally, numerical values vertically Descriptive categories are organized horizontally, numerical values vertically Emphasizes variation over category Emphasizes variation over category

Bar chart Illustrates comparisons among individual items Illustrates comparisons among individual items Descriptive categories are organized vertically, numerical values horizontally Descriptive categories are organized vertically, numerical values horizontally Focus on comparing values Focus on comparing values Place less emphasis on time Place less emphasis on time Easier to display long text headings for each category Easier to display long text headings for each category

Cone, cylinder & pyramid charts Can lend a dramatic effect to 3-D column and bar charts Can lend a dramatic effect to 3-D column and bar charts

Pie chart Shows the proportional size of items that make up a set of data Shows the proportional size of items that make up a set of data Shows only one set of data Shows only one set of data Useful when you want to emphasize a significant element Useful when you want to emphasize a significant element Visual presentation of percentages Visual presentation of percentages

Doughnut chart Shows the relationship of parts to a whole Shows the relationship of parts to a whole Can contain more than one set of values Can contain more than one set of values Each ring of the doughnut chart represents a different set of values Each ring of the doughnut chart represents a different set of values

Line chart Shows trends in data at equal intervals of time Shows trends in data at equal intervals of time Emphasize time flow and the rate of change, rather than the amount of change or the magnitude of values Emphasize time flow and the rate of change, rather than the amount of change or the magnitude of values

3-D line chart shows a view of a line chart as 3-D ribbons shows a view of a line chart as 3-D ribbons Often used to display data attractively for presentations Often used to display data attractively for presentations

Area chart Like a filled-in line chart Like a filled-in line chart Emphasizes the magnitude of change over time Emphasizes the magnitude of change over time Also shows the relationship of parts to a whole Also shows the relationship of parts to a whole

Surface chart Used more for testing mathematical models Used more for testing mathematical models Show best combinations between two sets of data Show best combinations between two sets of data Colours and patterns indicate areas that are in the same range of values Colours and patterns indicate areas that are in the same range of values Show relationships between large amounts of data that may otherwise be difficult to see Show relationships between large amounts of data that may otherwise be difficult to see

Combination chart Shows two different sets of data measured on different scales to show how they correspond Shows two different sets of data measured on different scales to show how they correspond

Scatter chart Either shows the relationships among the numbers in two or more sets of data Either shows the relationships among the numbers in two or more sets of data Or plots two groups of numbers as one series of xy coordinates Or plots two groups of numbers as one series of xy coordinates Shows uneven intervals - or clusters - of data Shows uneven intervals - or clusters - of data Commonly used for scientific data Commonly used for scientific data

Bubble chart Plot the data like a scatter chart Plot the data like a scatter chart Size of the bubble indicates the value of a third statistic Size of the bubble indicates the value of a third statistic Useful for things like weight, size Useful for things like weight, size

Radar chart Each set of data has its own axis Each set of data has its own axis The larger the value to be plotted, the closer to the outside The larger the value to be plotted, the closer to the outside Lines connect all the values in the same group Lines connect all the values in the same group Shows the shape of the values as a whole Shows the shape of the values as a whole Can compare profiles for example employee specification Can compare profiles for example employee specification

Parts of a chart Data range Categories Series Point within series X axis Y axis Legend Categories Chart area