Here is the step-by-step guides to create an outstanding Excel
chart:
Key in the data illustrated below accordingly as we will use it to demonstrate
how to create a chart in Microsoft Office Excel.
Note:
We will use the step-by-step Excel Chart Wizard to create a chart that
related to the Student exam results for the subject English, Science and
Mathematics.
Step 1: The Chart Wizard (1) � Chart Type
Click on any cell
within the data containing the information that you wish to display as a chart,
or highlight the exact data that you wish to display as a chart.
Click the Chart Wizard icon on the Standard toolbar. This will
display the Excel Chart Wizard as show below:
From the Chart type: section you can select the type of chart that you
wish to create.
Then from the Chart sub-type: section you can select the exact format
that you required for the selected chart type.
To see how the selected chart will look, use the Press and Hold to View
Sample button within the dialog box. In our example, we accept the default
selection.
Click the Next button to see the next page of the dialog box -
Chart Source Data.
Step 2: The Excel Chart Wizard (2) � Data Source
The Data Range tab allows you to specify the exact data that you wish
to display within your chart.
You can choose to display Series in Rows or Columns. In the
case of the example data used, the two effects will be as illustrated. Choose
the Series in Rows.
When you click on the Next button, this will display the Chart
Options dialog box.
Step 3: The Excel Chart Wizard (3) � Chart Options
From the
chart options dialog box displayed, you can select Titles, Axes, Gridlines,
Legend, Data Labels and Data Table tabs and make the necessary
changes.
To add title to a chart
In the Chart title: text box, enter the name for the chart, i.e. Exam
results.
In the Category (X) axis: text box, enter a title for the X axis,
i.e. Subject.
In the Category (Y) axis: text box, enter a title for the Y axis,
i.e. Mark score.
In the example used, the screen will be as illustrated.
To customize the chart axis
From the Chart Option dialog box displayed, click on the Axes
tab.
It allows you to control the way the axes are displayed, you can tick or
un-tick the check box to see the effects on the chart.
To customize chart gridlines
From the Chart Option dialog box displayed, click on the Gridlines
tab.
You can choose to display the major and minor X and Y gridlines for the axis
by clicking on the particular check box.
To customize chart legend
From the Chart Option dialog box displayed, click on the Legend
tab.
You can choose to display or not the chart legend and the placement of the
legend in the chart by clicking on the radio button.
To customize data labels
From the Chart Option dialog box displayed, click on the Data
Labels tab.
You can choose to display or not the chart data labels by clicking on the
radio button.
To display a data table
From the Chart Option dialog box displayed, click on the Data
Table tab.
You can choose to display or not the chart data table by ticking on the
check box.
Click on the Next button to continue and this will display the final
page of the Chart Wizard � Chart Location.
Step 4: The Excel Chart Wizard (4) � Chart Location
To
define the chart location
You can choose to place the chart on an existing worksheet as an object, or
you can place it on a new worksheet. Two options for you to choose: As new sheet: � It will place the chart in the new worksheet. As object in: - It will place the chart in the existing worksheet.
Click on the Finish button and the chart will be created as you have
specified during the Chart Wizard creation process.
