Creating the basic line chart Line charts are most useful for representing change over time. Time is plotted on the horizontal axis, and the quantity of whatever is being measured is on the vertical axis. However, Excels default strategy for plotting line charts is to treat both the time periods and the quantity as two series to plot again a numeric sequence of time periods that start with 1, 2, 3, etc. To get the plot we want, we will have to explicitly tell Excel how to handle the data that we input to the chart. We can bypass the need to make these adjustments by using an XY (Scatter) chart instead of a line chart. However, if we use an XY (Scatter) plot, we cannot use drop lines that extend from each data point down to the horizontal axis, a feature that can be very helpful in interpreting charts over time. Creating the Basic Line Chart, Slide 1Copyright © 2004, Jim Schwab, University of Texas at Austin

Data for the line chart While a line chart can be created with only the quantity of the characteristic for each time period, it will save time in the long run to include the time period as well as the quantity in the range of cells that will be used for the chart. If we do not include the time periods, Excel will label them with the numeric sequence: 1, 2, 3, etc. While a line chart can be created with only the quantity of the characteristic for each time period, it will save time in the long run to include the time period as well as the quantity in the range of cells that will be used for the chart. If we do not include the time periods, Excel will label them with the numeric sequence: 1, 2, 3, etc. Creating the Basic Line Chart, Slide 2Copyright © 2004, Jim Schwab, University of Texas at Austin

Opening the chart tool bar We will use the chart tool bar to create the basic chart. Open the Chart tool bar from the View > Toolbars menu. We will use the chart tool bar to create the basic chart. Open the Chart tool bar from the View > Toolbars menu. Another tool for creating charts is the Chart Wizard on the Standard tool bar. Creating the Basic Line Chart, Slide 3Copyright © 2004, Jim Schwab, University of Texas at Austin

Selecting line chart as the chart type First, on the Chart tool bar, click on the down arrow button for the Chart Type tool button. Second, click on the icon for the Line Chart. Creating the Basic Line Chart, Slide 4Copyright © 2004, Jim Schwab, University of Texas at Austin

The basic line chart that incorrectly depicts the data Excel creates a basic line chart with a legend indicating erroneously that there are two independent data series for the chart, instead of one data series with time period and quantity. To correct this problem, we will modify the way Excel uses the source data. Excel creates a basic line chart with a legend indicating erroneously that there are two independent data series for the chart, instead of one data series with time period and quantity. To correct this problem, we will modify the way Excel uses the source data. Creating the Basic Line Chart, Slide 5Copyright © 2004, Jim Schwab, University of Texas at Austin

Opening the source data dialog box To open the Source Data dialog box, right click on the chart area to access the popup menu and select Source Data from the popup menu. Creating the Basic Line Chart, Slide 6Copyright © 2004, Jim Schwab, University of Texas at Austin

Changing the data series in the source data dialog The Data Range contains the correct cells, so no change is needed there. However, we need to change the ways the data series is used. Click on the Series tab of open that panel. The Data Range contains the correct cells, so no change is needed there. However, we need to change the ways the data series is used. Click on the Series tab of open that panel. Creating the Basic Line Chart, Slide 7Copyright © 2004, Jim Schwab, University of Texas at Austin

Type the time period range for the horizontal axis data The data for the time periods is in cells A1 through A6. To tell Excel to plot this range of cells on the horizontal axis, we type the cell referent in the Category (X) axis labels text box. Click an insertion point in the Category (X) axis labels text box, and type =Sheet1!$A$1:$A$6 as the address for the range of data that contains the time periods. Do not press the Enter key to complete the entry as that will close the dialog box. Click an insertion point in the Category (X) axis labels text box, and type =Sheet1!$A$1:$A$6 as the address for the range of data that contains the time periods. Do not press the Enter key to complete the entry as that will close the dialog box. Creating the Basic Line Chart, Slide 8Copyright © 2004, Jim Schwab, University of Texas at Austin

Remove the erroneous data series from the chart Excel used the time period data for Series1 in the chart it created. Since this was not what we intended, we will remove Series1 as a data series in the chart. Second, click on the Remove button to exclude it as a data series in the chart. First, if necessary, click on Series1 in the Series list box to select it. Creating the Basic Line Chart, Slide 9Copyright © 2004, Jim Schwab, University of Texas at Austin

The corrected series data When we remove the Series1 data, Excel redraws the preview of the chart. The time periods are now correctly plotted on the horizontal axis, and the quantity is correctly plotted on the vertical axis, with the pink line indicating differences in this quantity over time. To close the dialog box, click on the OK button. Creating the Basic Line Chart, Slide 10Copyright © 2004, Jim Schwab, University of Texas at Austin

The corrected line chart Excel now shows the data correctly plotted as a single series (Series2) over time on the line chart. Creating the Basic Line Chart, Slide 11Copyright © 2004, Jim Schwab, University of Texas at Austin

Closing the chart tool bar While a few of the tools buttons on the chart tool bar enable us to enhance the chart, there are many that are missing. We will close the chart tool bar and use popup context menus to add features to the chart. To close the chart tool bar, click on its close box. Creating the Basic Line Chart, Slide 12Copyright © 2004, Jim Schwab, University of Texas at Austin

Closing the chart tool bar Creating a Pie Chart, Slide 6Copyright © 2004, Jim Schwab, University of Texas at Austin While a few of the tools buttons on the chart tool bar enable us to enhance the chart, there are many that are missing. We will close the chart tool bar and use popup context menus to add features to the chart. To close the chart tool bar, click on its close box.