Microsoft Excel
(Office 2007; Vista)
Charts
Charts allow you to present data entered into the worksheet in a visual format, using a variety of graph types. Before you can make a chart you must first enter data into a worksheet. This page explains how you can create simple charts from entered data.
Chart Wizard
- Enter the data into the worksheet and select all the cells that will be included in the chart, including headers.
- Click the Chart button
- Chart Type - Choose the Chart type and the Chart sub-type if necessary.
- Click OK to create the chart.
Resizing the Chart
To resize the chart, click on its border and drag any of the nine black handles to change the size. Handles on the corners will resize the chart proportionally while handles along the sides and top will stretch the chart.
Moving the Chart and Chart Elements
Select the border of the chart, hold down the left mouse button, and drag the chart to a new location. Elements within the chart such as the title and labels may also be moved within the chart. Click on the element to activate it, and use the mouse to drag the element to move it.
Chart Formatting Toolbar
Chart Objects List menu - To select an object on the chart to format, click the object on the chart or select the object from the Chart Objects List and click the Format button. A window containing the properties of that object will then appear to make formatting changes.
Chart Type - Select a different type of chart by clicking on the arrowhead on the Chart Type button.
Legend - Show or hide the chart legend by clicking this button.
Data Table view - Display the data table instead of the chart by clicking the Data Table button.
Display Data by Column or Row - Chart the data by columns or rows according to the data sheet.
Angle Text - Angle the selected element by +/- 45 degrees by selecting the category or value axis and clicking the Angle Downward or Angle Upward button.
Copying the Chart to Microsoft Word
A finished chart can be copied into a Microsoft Word document. Select the chart and click Copy. Open the destination document in Word and click Paste.