A chart is a graphic representation of the data in your worksheet. Charts give a clear overview of the data and make it easier to understand complex information. This is especially important when people want to quickly and effectively analyse the overall

In This Chapter:

Different Types of Charts

Excel comes with a number of standard, built-in charts. You can choose different options in an Excel chart to emphasize your data in different ways.

Components of a Chart

After having seen the various types of charts, Sean wants to know about the various components of a chart.

Creating a Column Chart

Now, we have seen the types of charts and its various components. Let’s create a column chart so Sean can get a clear overview of how the students have fared in the exam.

A Chart Sheet

You can size and scale the chart area, specify how it should be placed on the printed page; and then view it in the preview window.

Display or Hide a Data Table in a Chart

If you want, you can show the actual data table a chart is based on inside the chart itself.

Place a Chart on a Worksheet

Charts can be displayed as a part of an existing worksheet, or on their own chart sheet.

Change the Font Used in a Chart

The font you see in your charts can also be customized like other text.

Editing Axes

You can add and customize the axes in your charts.

Change the Display Size of a Chart Sheet

You can change a chart's display size, or show it in a separate window.

Use a Picture in a Chart

You can use pictures in the column, bar, bubble, 3-D line, filled radar charts, the chart area, the plot area, the legend in 2-D and 3-D charts, or the 3-D walls or floor of a chart.

Using Dates in Charts

When you create a chart from worksheet data that uses dates, and the dates make up the category (x) axis in the chart, Microsoft Excel automatically uses a time-scale category axis.

Resizing, Moving, Deleting and Copying Charts

Here we go over some of the ways to manipulate your charts as whole objects.

Formatting Chart Objects

Here we go over many of the options for formatting the display of your charts and cells.