SIU School of Medicine
Medical Library / Department of Information & Communication Sciences
EXCEL 2010: CREATING CHARTS & GRAPHS
Charts provide a way to present data in an interesting and understandable way.
OBJECTIVES:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Create a chart from an Excel spreadsheet
Change charts by resizing, moving, switching rows and columns and changing chart type
Add elements such as legends and data tables
Learn to format chart text and elements and to apply chart styles
Learn when to use different chart types.
CREATING A BASIC CHART
CREATE A PIE CHART
A pie chart shows one data series and illustrates how the parts contribute to the whole or total.
SELECT THE INFORMATION TO INCLUDE IN THE CHART.
In this case you would select the row headers and also the data series for the total:


Click and drag to select the cells in Column A.
Then hold down the CTRL key and click and drag to select the cells that you want in Column H.
CHOOSE THE CHART TYPE

Insert ->Pie->choose a pie chart format.
2
TO MOVE THE CHART ON THE WORKSHEET
Click on the chart border and drag to reposition on
the worksheet
TO MOVE THE CHART TO ANOTHER SHEET OR TAB IN THE WORKBOOK

Either click the Move Chart button on the ribbon
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OR right click on the chart border and choose Move Chart from the Context menu.
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Then choose where to move the chart.
3
CREATE COLUMN AND LINE CHARTS
Both column and line charts display multiple data series on a 2 axis grid. In the example below, the row
and column headers were selected in addition to the data for both fiscal years.
CHOOSE THE CHART TYPE

Insert -> Column -> Choose a column or a line chart format.
Move the chart on the worksheet or to a different worksheet as described for a pie chart.
CHANGING A CHART
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ELEMENTS OF A CHART
ELEMENT
Chart Title
WHAT
Identifies the chart
Data Point
Data Series
Single bar, line, column, pie slice, etc.
All the bars (or lines, columns, etc) of a
common color
A table that appears below the chart,
showing the data used
Area on a 3-D chart that the bars rest on
Data Table
Floor
Horizontal Axis (x axis)
Legend
Plot Area
Vertical Axis (y axis)
Vertical Axis Title
Wall
HOW TO USE
Use if not obvious what the chart
represents
The axis that runs side to side
The key or index of the categories used
in the chart with the colors, patterns or
shades used to represent the categories
Area of the chart containing the data,
the axes, and optional data table.
The axis that runs up and down)
Text label explaining what the vertical
axis represents
The area directly behind the data
CHANGE THE CHART TYPE

Choose the Chart Tools Design tab ->Change Chart Type
TO SWITCH ROWS AND COLUMNS

Choose the Chart Tools Design tab ->Switch Row/Column
5
Optional, usually used when the
chart is on a separate tab
Gives a 3-D chart a more 3
dimensional appearance
Usually used for categories
Can appear at right, left, top or
bottom
Usually used for values
Can be shaded to distinguish it
from the plot data
RESIZE A CHART
1. Drag a selection handle on its frame.
ADDING AND POSITIONING CHART ELEMENTS
ADD, EDIT OR REMOVE A LEGEND
1. Choose the Chart Tools Layout tab -> Legend
2. Choose from the options listed or choose More Legend Options
ADD OR REMOVE DATA LABELS
1. Select the data series or points to edit
2. Choose the Chart Tools Layout tab -> Data Labels
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DATA TABLE – ADD OR REMOVE
Choose the Chart Tools Layout tab-> Data Table
2. Pick from the displayed option or choose More Data Table Options.
1.
TO CHANGE A CHARTS DATA RANGE
1. Select the chart and choose Chart Tools Design -> Select Data
2. In the Select Data Source window that open you can add, remove or edit the data range.
3. Select the data series or points to edit
4. Choose Chart Tools Layout -> Data Labels
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TO APPLY A STYLE TO A CHART
1. Chart Tools Design Tab
2. Choose a style in the Chart Styles group
3. Click More to see all styles, if needed.\
TO FORMAT TEXT ON A CHART
1. Click the Home Tab
2. Use commands in the Font group.
TO MODIFY A CHART ELEMENT
1. Select the element
2. Choose Chart Tools -> Format -> Format Selection
CG 9/2/2015
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