Microsoft Excel Charts and Graphs Quick Reference Basic Chart Ideas 1. Once a chart is inserted, double-click the chart to get into the editing option...
Microsoft Excel Charts and Graphs Quick Reference Basic Chart Ideas 1. Once a chart is inserted, double-click the chart to get into the editing options mode. 2. Double-clicking the chart adds options to the Standard and Formatting Toolbars and adds a Chart option to the Menu Bar 2. Use the proper chart for the proper concept: Bar Charts to compare groups; pie charts to show parts of the whole; line charts to show change over time. 3. Use one concept per chart. 4. Keep charts simple to get the point across. 5. As a general rule, do not display the data table with the chart. 6. To change the way any part of a chart looks, right-click that part and choose the Format option. 7. Another way to get a chart is to create the chart in Microsoft Excel, select the chart, copy it to the Windows Clipboard, and paste it into Microsoft Word or Microsoft PowerPoint as a graphic object. 8. You can paste a chart with live links so that if the data are changed in Microsoft Excel, the chart will change. 9. The primary philosophy is get the proper type of chart and then right-click any part and choose Format from the drop down menu. How do I insert a chart? 1. Click Insert, Picture, Chart 2. Enter data 3. Set chart options 4. Click back in the document Chart/Graph Standard Toolbar Changes Format Show Object Datasheet
How do I get in the chart editing mode? 1. Double-click the chart How do I change the chart type, e.g. from bar chart to pie chart? 1. Right-click the Chart Area 2. Select the Chart Type option from the drop down menu. 3. Click a Chart Type 4. Click a Chart sub-type 5. Click OK -- OR -1. Click Chart, Chart type on the Menu Bar 2. Click a Chart Type 3. Click a Chart sub-type 4. Click OK -- OR -1. Click the down arrow on the Chart type icon on the Standard Toolbar 2. Select the chart type (Note: This method does not give access to the chart sub-types.) How do I change options for the entire chart such as adding titles or a border? 1. Right-click the Chart Area 2. Select Chart options from the drop down menu -- OR -1. Click Chart, Chart Options on the Menu Bar How do I change a specific part of the chart? 1. Right-click the intended part 2. Select the Format option from the drop down menu How do I change the 3-dimensional options of a chart? (Note: You must have a 3-D Chart type before these options are available.) 1. Right-click Chart Area 2. Select 3-D View from the drop down menu -- OR -1. Click Chart, 3-D view on the Menu Bar How do I get titles on the chart? 1. Right-click the Chart Area 2. Select Chart options from the drop down menu 3. Click the Titles tab 4. Enter the titles desired 5. Click OK -- OR -Microsoft Excel Charts and Graphs Quick Reference
3
1. 2. 3. 4.
Click Chart, Chart Options on the Menu Bar Click the Titles tab Enter the titles desired Click OK
How do I change the scale of the value axis? 1. Right-click the Value axis 2. Select Format axis 3. Click the Scale tab 4. Set the options desired 5. Click OK How do I change the placement of the legend? 1. Click to select the legend 2. Click and drag the legend to the new location -- OR -1. Right-click the Legend 2. Select Format legend 3. Click the Placement tab 4. Click the desired location 5. Click OK How do I change options for the entire chart such as adding titles or a border? 1. Right-click the Chart Area 2. Select Chart options from the drop down menu -- OR -1. Click Chart, Chart Options on the Menu Bar How do I change a specific part of the chart? 1. Right-click the intended part 2. Select the Format option from the drop down menu How do I change the 3-dimensional options of a chart? (Note: You must have a 3-D Chart type before these options are available.) 1. Right-click Chart Area 2. Select 3-D View from the drop down menu -- OR -1. Click Chart, 3-D view on the Menu Bar How do I get titles on the chart? 1. Right-click the Chart Area 2. Select Chart options from the drop down menu 3. Click the Titles tab 4. Enter the titles desired 4
Microsoft Excel Charts and Graphs Quick Reference
5. Click OK -- OR -1. Click Chart, Chart Options on the Menu Bar 2. Click the Titles tab 3. Enter the titles desired 4. Click OK How do I change the scale of the value axis? 1. Right-click the Value axis 2. Select Format axis 3. Click the Scale tab 4. Set the options desired 5. Click OK How do I change the placement of the legend? 1. Click to select the legend 2. Click and drag the legend to the new location -- OR -1. Right-click the Legend 2. Select Format legend 3. Click the Placement tab 4. Click the desired location 5. Click OK
