bud length (mm)bud width (mm) Let’s pretend this is my data. I’ve entered it in Excel. Note that I have labeled my columns appropriately. Now I want to make my chart.

I click on the “make chart” icon. It’s continuous data, so I want to make a line graph. Note that I chose a line graph that includes data points. Then I click “next”

So far, so good! My independent variable is on the x-axis, and my dependent variable is on the y-axis. I click “next”.

What about these choices? I don’t want to include series name, category name, or values on my graph, so I make sure they’re not checked. I don’t click “next” yet! I need to adjust my axes labels, so I click on the “Titles” tab up there on top.

If I put in the title name, Excel will put it on top (which is WRONG, according to CBE style). So, I leave that blank. I fill in the appropriate labels for my axes, remembering to include units. If the units on my axes are not as I want them (for example, if I’d rather have dates instead of numbered days), I would fix those under the “Axes” tab. I’m going to leave this the way it is, but you may want to change yours.

Under the “Legend” tab, you can make some decisions, too. The reason my lines are labeled something other than “series 1” is that I labeled them on my data table (first step!). If you include a legend, it should NOT say “series 1”. My graph looks at two different dependent variables: length and width. Since there are two variables, it makes sense to keep the legend. However, if you only have ONE dependent variable, get rid of the legend. You do this by unchecking the “Show legend” box. Then click “Finish”.

Here’s my finished figure. Well, almost finished. I still have to title it. You’ll do this in Word. Copy it in Excel, and move over to your word document.

Once you’ve pasted it in a word document, let’s get rid of the border so we can title it. Double click on your figure when it’s in Word (or you can also right-click for “Format Chart Area”). Where it says “Border”, click on “None”. Then click “OK”. Now we’re ready to put the title UNDERNEATH so that your instructor does not have a fit.

Once the border is removed, press “return” and add an appropriate title to your figure, starting with Figure 1. Don’t forget to include both the independent variable and the dependent variable in your title. A brief description of the trend shown in the graph can be included AFTER the title.