1. Advanced Graphing Using Excel V.1 Part II: Giving your graph style Written and Created by: James Golen University of Michigan – Dearborn Science Learning Center

2. Introduction: Before using this module you must have completed the primary module entitled Graphing Using Excel. Before using this module you must have completed the primary module entitled Graphing Using Excel. If you still need help with basic graphing, please close this program and refer to the Introduction to Graphing module available from the Science Learning Center. The concepts within this module can be quite challenging. If you still need help with basic graphing, please close this program and refer to the Introduction to Graphing module available from the Science Learning Center. The concepts within this module can be quite challenging. Remember, this module is not a tutorial of Excel’s capabilities! Completion of this module will allow you to make useful graphs, but in no way will you have mastered all aspects of Excel. Remember, this module is not a tutorial of Excel’s capabilities! Completion of this module will allow you to make useful graphs, but in no way will you have mastered all aspects of Excel.

3. Data Entry Recall from the primary module that data entry is very important. Your data must be clear, to both you and your readers. The quality of your data will turn out to be the same quality of your graph. As you create your graph, please save your data often.

4. Selecting Your Data Highlight your data and click on the chart wizard. Recall from the first module that if the chart wizard icon is not present. You will have to insert/chart from the main toolbar.

5. Using the Chart Wizard Once again we will choose XY scatter for the chart type. In some cases columns will used for histograms, but for the most part in science we will be comparing X vs. Y.

6. Using the Chart Wizard Additional chart types are available to you if you click on the “Custom Types” tab. These options allows for a more eye catching graph, but is almost useless when rendering data. I would recommend never using the custom types, unless your audience expects an entertaining show rather than raw data.

7. Using the Chart Wizard Step 2 of the chart wizard displays the data range your graph will cover. Notice that the letters and numbers in the “Data range” text box correspond to the corner cells of your data entry that you highlighted before using the chart wizard. In our case, $B$5:$C$16 is equal to cells B5 to C16.

8. Using the Chart Wizard The “Series” tab allows you to name your data points, and add or remove whole sets of data from your plot. In this case we have named the Series 1, “Data point”. Unless you have more than one series of data, you most likely will not need to provide names.

9. Using the Chart Wizard Titles and labels are the heart of a graph, make sure you supply adequate entries for each. Don’t worry if at this point it looks somewhat cluttered, you will be able to clean up your graph when you finish.

10. Using the Chart Wizard The “Axes” tab allows you conceal the values on you (X) or (Y) axis. While keeping your data intact. It is recommended that you keep your values on your graph at all times.

11. Using the Chart Wizard The “Gridlines” tab allows you to set major, minor or both gridlines to your graph. Gridlines make it easier to locate individual or important data points. In most cases no gridlines are preferred. Here we have de-selected all checkboxes.

12. Using the Chart Wizard The “Legend” tab allows you to make a decision on whether a legend is needed. In this case, and in most, the series line is obvious and no legend is preferable.

13. Using the Chart Wizard “Data Labels” provides a label for each data point which will just show each points position as it relates to the (X) axis. Rarely will you find it necessary to use this tab unless you have removed the values for the (X) Axis.

14. Using the Chart Wizard The final Chart Wizard window will allow you to position your chart within your spreadsheet. Selecting the “As new sheet” option will place your graph on an entirely new spreadsheet. The “As object in” option will allow you to place the graph on the sheet where your data is stored.

15. Modifying the Graph Excel tries its best to give you a nice looking graph. You may have to modify titles, labels and series headings. To accomplish this just click on the title or label. A black box will surround the area, then right click. The dropdown box will allow you to change font size, or even font altogether

16. Good Start This is a very good start to your graph. Titles and labels are clear with good spacing between values. Make sure you continue to save.

17. Little Details, Big Effects Left-click on any data point, all will become highlighted, then right- click. Select “Format Data Series…” from the dropdown box.

18. Little Details, Big Effects The only tab you will need to work with here is the “Patterns” tab. The others you have addressed earlier in this module. You may cycle through them if you wish to make a change. The main function of this window is to allow you to change the type of data point your graph will display. Dropdown boxes allow you change style, size, and color. Select “OK” when finished.

19. Little Details, Big Effects Now you may add your trendline. The graph created during this module will need an exponential trendline. Don’t forget the Display equation on chart option, found in the “Options” tab.!!

20. Finished Product This is a very nice example, and should be appropriate for most instructors. Try not to use flashy colors and axes lines tend to clutter things up. Think simple rather then technical. For a professional type graph, the equation should be placed outside of the graph. Please remember to save your data and graphs several times during your work. You may also consider backing your work up on a secondary media.

21. How do I change the placement of the axis? On occasion you will run into a situation where your graph will take place in an area other than the first quadrant. Some instructors will accept this format, most will not. Clearly, having the (Y) axis on the left hand side makes for an easier to read graph.

22. How do I change the placement of the axis? Position the pointer (mouse) along the axis in which you need to change. A small beige box will appear. With the box still in view, right-click. A dropdown box will appear. With your mouse, select “Format Axis….”

23. Format of your Axis The “Format Axis” window will provide you with the values Excel has given to your graph, these are automatically done for you when you use the chart wizard. Notice the checkboxes are pre- checked with values given for each. You may in fact change any value you want, but you must de- select the checkbox to the left of your entry. In the case of our graph, it is much simpler to check the “Values in reverse” and “Value (X)” boxes at the lower left of the window.

24. Format of your Axis This is the “Format Axis” window for the (X) axis. It operates in the same fashion and the (Y) window. The extra tabs along the top of the window will allow you to make simple changes to the characters you have chosen for you axis values. These tabs will be unnecessary in that you have solved these issues during the design portion of you graph. If you want to reverse the order of your graph, you must check both boxes in the “Format Axis” window for the (X) axis.

25. Finished Product The upper graph displays the modified axis, while the lower shows the original graph. Notice by reversing our numbers the slope or values do not change. Our graph is now in a format that we are comfortable with and is easier to read. This is not a completed graph by far. Tiles, labels, and such must be added for a finished product. This example is merely for procedure only.

26. Additional Modules and Help You have now completed the second module covering graphing using Excel software. At this point you should feel confident in you graphing abilities. The next module in this series will cover how you can use tools within Excel to help you collect data from your regression lines.

27. Credits Advanced Graphing Using Excel V.1 Created: 5/15/02 Last modified: 5/15/02 Written and Produced by: James Golen For more information contact: University of Michigan – Dearborn Science Learning Center www.umd.umich.edu/casl/natsci/slc (313) 593-5512