Name_________________________________________________Pd.____Date___________________
Help Sheet: Using Excel to Graph
I. Making a Graph
1. Open Excel
2. Enter the data into the first two columns, placing the x-axis data into column 1 and the y-axis
data into column two. Put heading on the top of the columns, just to keep the data organized.
3. Select (highlight) data only in the first two columns.
4. Pull down the INSERT menu and choose CHART
5. Select XY SCATTER
6. Hit NEXT
7. Type in Chart Title, X and Y axis labels, including units
8. Hit NEXT
9. Decide if you want to embed your graph in your data or make a separate sheet.
10. Click on FINISH
II. Altering your Title, Axes Labels, Gridlines, etc. on Your Graph
If you want to make changes to your graph:
1. Pull down the CHART menu and select CHART OPTIONS
2. Fill in the title box with an appropriate title (click in the box to start typing)
3. Click also in the VALUE (X) AXIS and VALUE (Y) AXIS boxes. Please include axes names as
well as units.
4. You can put gridlines as well as other options by selecting the appropriate menus from within
CHART OPTIONS
III. Getting the Equation of Your Line
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Click on anyone of your data points in the graph (they should highlight)
Pull down the CHART menu and select ADD TRENDLINE
Linear (the first selection) should be highlighted.
Choose OPTIONS (beside TYPE)
Click on "Display Equation on Chart"
Click on “Display R-Squared value on chart”
Choose OK
Feel free to experiment with the program to see what it can do. The only way you learn to use new
software is to play around with it. If you have any questions, ask.