ME 142
Engineering Computation I
Graphing with Excel
Key Concepts
Creating a Basic XY Scatter Graph
Linking Chart Titles to a Cell
Adding Data to an Existing Graph
Plotting Multiple Curves
Plotting Multiple Curves with Diff. X Values
Adding a Trend Line
Modifying the Graph
Creating a Basic XY Scatter Graph
What is the difference between an XY
Scatter Graph and a Line Graph?
Creating a Basic XY Scatter Graph
 Excel supports many types of Graphs
 XY Scatter is most common in engineering

Do not confuse with Line Graph
 To simplify graph creation process:

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
Organize data into columns
Omit any blank rows
Pre-select data to be graphed
Example Problem
 Create an XY Scatter Graph:
Linking Chart Titles to a Cell
How do you link a chart title or chart
label to a cell?
Example Problem
 Create an XY Scatter Graph:
 Link titles/labels to cells
Linking Chart Titles to a Cell
 Axis and chart titles can also be linked to
cells
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Select the title in the graph
Click on the formula bar and type in “=“
Select the cell to link to
Adding Data to an Existing Graph
Plotting Multiple Curves
How do you add data to an existing
graph?
How do you plot multiple curves on the
same graph?
Adding Data to an Existing Graph
 Easiest way to add data is to select existing graph
and drag highlighted range to new area
 Works to add both columns and rows
 Graph is automatically updated
Plotting Multiple Curves
 Selecting data prior to chart creation is
easiest
 May also drag range to add additional curves
Example Problem
 Create an XY Scatter Graph:
 Link titles/labels to cells
 Add data to the existing graph:
 Add a second series to the existing graph:
Plotting Multiple Curves with
Different X Values
How do you plot multiple curves that
have different X-values on the same
graph?
Plotting Multiple Curves with Different
X Values
 Select data to create first curve and insert
graph normally
 On Design Ribbon click on the Select Data
icon
 Select Add to add a new series
 Select new X and Y series
Plotting Multiple Curves with Different
X Values (cont)
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Adding a Trend Line
What is a Trend line?
How do you add a Trend line to an
existing graph?
Adding a Trend Line
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Common Graph Modification Tasks
Common Graph Modification Tasks
 Resizing /moving the graph
 Moving/Deleting the legend
 Changing axis scales
 Adding/Updating titles
Review Questions
Review Question
Basic Graphs
What type of graph is the
following:
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.
Line Graph
XY Scatter Graph
Curve Graph
Either A or B
Cannot Tell from
Given Information
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Review Question
Trendlines
The only Trendline option supported by
Excel is linear
A. True
B. False
Homework Help ‘n Hints