Microsoft Excel is a widely-used software to create and analyze data in the form of spreadsheets. One of the features that Excel offers is the ability to create charts and graphs to visually represent the data. In this article, we will be discussing some tips and tricks on how to modify and create charts in Microsoft Excel.
Modifying Chart Appearance
Charts created in Excel can be customized by modifying their appearance, such as changing the colors, fonts, and layouts for a more visually-pleasing and informative presentation.
Changing Chart Type
Excel offers a variety of chart types to choose from, such as line charts, column charts, and pie charts. To change the chart type, simply select the chart and navigate to the “Chart Design” tab in the Excel Ribbon. From there, click on the “Change Chart Type” button and select the desired chart type from the list. Excel will automatically change the chart to the selected type.
Adding Titles and Labels
Adding titles and labels to a chart can make it more informative and easier to read. To add a chart title, simply click on the chart and navigate to the “Chart Design” tab in the Excel Ribbon. From there, click on the “Add Chart Element” button and select “Chart Title” from the dropdown menu. Excel will add a default title to the chart, which can be edited by clicking on it and typing in the new title.
Similarly, axis titles, data labels, and legends can be added or edited by selecting the corresponding chart element and using the same process.
Creating Charts in Excel
Excel offers a variety of chart types to choose from, and the process of creating a chart in Excel is relatively straightforward.
Selecting Data
The first step to creating a chart in Excel is selecting the data to be used in the chart. Select the range of cells that contain the data, including the column and row headers, if applicable.
Inserting Chart
Once the data is selected, navigate to the “Insert” tab in the Excel Ribbon and select the desired chart type from the “Charts” section. Excel will automatically create the chart and place it in the same sheet as the data.
Customizing Chart
As mentioned earlier, charts created in Excel can be customized to fit the user’s needs. To customize a chart, simply select the chart and navigate to the “Chart Design” tab in the Excel Ribbon. From there, options such as changing the chart type, adding titles and labels, and modifying the chart layout can be accessed.
FAQs
1. How do I create a combination chart in Excel?
A combination chart in Excel is a chart that displays two or more sets of data using different chart types on the same chart. To create a combination chart in Excel, follow these steps:
- Select the data to be used in the chart, including the column and row headers.
- Navigate to the “Insert” tab in the Excel Ribbon and select the desired chart type for the first set of data.
- Select the data series in the chart and right-click to access the “Change Chart Type” option.
- Select the desired chart type for the second set of data and click “OK”.
- Format the chart as desired using the options in the “Chart Design” tab.
2. How do I create a pivot chart in Excel?
A pivot chart in Excel is a chart that is based on a pivot table, which is a table that summarizes data based on selected criteria. To create a pivot chart in Excel, follow these steps:
- Select the data to be used in the pivot table, including the column and row headers.
- Navigate to the “Insert” tab in the Excel Ribbon and click on the “PivotTable” button.
- Select the range of cells containing the data and click “OK”.
- A pivot table will be created in a new sheet. Drag and drop the desired fields to the “Rows” and “Values” sections in the “PivotTable Field List”.
- Select the pivot table and navigate to the “Insert” tab in the Excel Ribbon. Click on the “Recommended Charts” button and select the desired chart type from the list.
- A pivot chart will be created in a new sheet. Format the chart as desired using the options in the “Chart Design” tab.
Charts in Excel Tutorial Video
For a more in-depth tutorial on creating and modifying charts in Excel, check out the following video:
