Excel chapter 4

objectives Decide which chart type to create Create a chart Change the chart type Change the data source and structure Apply a chart layout and style Move a chart Select and format chart elements Format axes and gridlines Add a trendline

What is a chart? A chart is a visual representation of numeric data An effective chart depicts data in a clear, easy-to-interpret fashion. It is a visual representation of numerical data that compares data and helps to reveal trends or patterns.

Chart components Chart components include: Data Points Ex: Single cell E1 Data Series Ex: Range of cells E1:E11 Category Labels – Text that describes data The chart area contains the entire chart and all of its elements. The plot area contains the graphical representation of values in the data series. The X-axis (Category axis) is a horizontal line. The Y-axis (Value axis) is a vertical line. Axes form the borders for plot area.

Types of charts A column chart displays data vertically, with each data series forming a column Here the data series is of year 2012.

Clustered column chart To plot multiple data series. Each data series is depicted in a different color. This chart illustrates four data series, one for each year. A legend is included to help the reader distinguish the multiple data series.

Pie Chart This type of chart plots a single data series where each point is a sector with area proportional to the total of the series. A legend is used to display the category label for each data point in a different color. Data labels, such as percentages, are often portrayed on the pie wedges. An exploded pie chart separates one or more pie slices from the rest.

More charts types Stacked Column Chart 100% Stacked Column Chart 3-D Column Chart Bar Chart Line Chart Area Chart X Y (Scatter) Chart Stock Chart Surface Chart Doughnut Chart Bubble Chart Radar Chart

example Open Charts Example.xlxs Select the data source (A5:A11 and E5:E11) Go to Insert ribbon Select the chart type(2D Clustered Column chart) Position and size the chart

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Changing the Chart Type Using the Chart Tools contextual tab: Click the Design tab Click Change Chart Type Select the desired chart type Example: Change the chart type to Line. Once a chart is selected, Excel displays the Chart Tools contextual tab with tabs for Design, Layout, and Format. You can change the chart type by clicking the Change Chart Type button in the Type group on the Design tab.

Changing the Data Source To modify the chart data source: Click the Design tab Click Select Data under the Data group The Select Data Source dialog box can be used to add a new data series, remove an existing one, or edit the range on an existing series.

example Change the chart data source as A5:E11

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Moving a Chart To move a chart: Click the Design tab Click Move Chart under the Location group By default, a chart is placed in the same worksheet as the data source. You can also choose to move the chart to another location. The Move Chart dialog box, shown offers choices for the chart location to be in a different or new worksheet.

example Move the chart to New worksheet and name it as Majors.

Chart Layout The Layout tab offers many ways to enhance a chart visually The Layout tab offers many ways to enhance a chart visually. Care should be taken not to overpower the chart, but rather to enhance its effectiveness in portraying information. As shown above, the Chart Layout Tools Tab, options include inserting objects, removing objects, customizing axes, formatting the background, and including analysis.

Selecting and Formatting Chart Elements Formatting a chart element: Right-click the element and select the Format element command The element portion will change depending on the selection (ex. Format Data Series) The easiest method to format a chart element, such as a legend or data series, is to right-click it on the chart and select the Format element command. The element portion will change depending on the selection (for example, Format Data Series or Format Legend). Figure above illustrates the Format Data Series dialog box with options for Fill, Border Color, and more. Alternatively, you can click the Chart Elements arrow in the Current Selections group, and select the element from the list. Once selected, click Format Selection in the Current Selections group.

Chart Titles and Legend A chart title is the label that describes the entire chart An axis title is a label that describes either the category or value axis A legend is used to distinguish data points in a pie chart or data series in a multiple series chart The Labels group on the Layout tab contains options to edit the chart title, axis titles, legend, data labels, and data table. Chart title options include None, Centered Overlay Title, and Above Chart. More Title Options offer fill, border, and alignment settings. To display category axis title options, click Axis Titles in the Labels group, and point to Primary Horizontal Axis Title. Options include None, Title Below Axis, and More Primary Horizontal Axis Title Options. To display value axis title options, click Axis Titles in the Labels group, and point to Primary Vertical Axis Title. Options include None, Rotated Title, Vertical Title, Horizontal Title and More Primary Vertical Axis Title Options. Legend options include None and the desired location of the legend.

example Give Chart Title Above chart Give appropriate Horizontal and Vertical axis titles. Chart labels include: Chart title Data labels Value axis title Category axis title Legend Data Table

Adding a Trendline A trendline is a line used to depict trends and forecast future data Example: Add an appropriate Trend Line to Series 1. Charts help reveal trends, patterns, and other tendencies that are difficult to uncover by looking at numerical data in a worksheet. A trendline is a line used to depict trends and forecast future data, commonly used in prediction events. To add a trendline, click Treadline in the Analysis group, and select the type of trendline from Linear Trendline, Exponential Treadline, Linear Forecast Treadline, or Two Period Moving Average.