XL Charts

XL Charts

Excel provides a wizard that guides you through the steps to turn numbers into a chart. The following example will be used:

Step 1
To start the process, highlight the rows and columns of data and select Insert/Chart. The first wizard dialog asks you to select the chart type. To preview what your chart will look like, click View Sample. When you have chosen your chart type, click Next.

Step 2
The next wizard dialog displays the resulting chart. Notice how Excel automatically turned the first column of data into descriptions for the x-axis and converted the year headers into a legend.

Steps 3 and 4
Step 3 lets you add text to the chart. The title is centered at the top, while the X and Y descriptions are centered at the bottom and left side respectively. After you type, tabbing to the next field will display the text in the preview window. When you are done entering text, click Next for the final dialog. In most cases, all you have to do now is click Finish.

Changing Default Chart Type
If you prefer a certain chart style all the time, make it the default by doing the following:

1. Right click any existing chart
2. Select Chart Type
3. Select your new chart type
4. Click Set as default chart and OK

Moving a Chart
To move a chart around the worksheet, click and drag to the new location.

Resizing a Chart
To resize a chart, click on any of its handles (tiny squares at edges) and drag to the new size. Dragging from the corner resizes the chart proportionally, while dragging from the top or side changes the width to height relationship (aspect ratio).

Deleting a Chart
To delete a chart, right click the chart and select Cut, or click the chart and press the Delete key.

Changing Chart Type
To change a chart type, right click on a chart and select Chart Type.

Changing Colors and Other Characteristics
Right click on the exact part of the chart you want to change, and select Format xyz (xyz is whatever type of element you selected).