Excel sheets are of great help in case of hefty data. Graphs, in particular are the savior for complicated statistical data. Making graph in excel can be everyone’s cup of tea provided you have the Windows or the Mac versions of Microsoft Excel. Here are the quick steps to make effective graphs using Microsoft Excel.
1. Open Microsoft Excel by clicking on the Microsoft excel icon on the desktop.
2. Click on blank workbook. It's a white box in the upper-left side of the Excel window.
3. Choose the type of graph you want to make- There are three basic types of graphs that you can create using excel and that depends on the type of data. The three types are:-
• Bar- Such graphs are used to display one or more sets of data using vertical bars. Best for listing differences in data over time or comparing two similar sets of data.
• Line- Such graphs are used to display one or more sets of data using horizontal lines. Best for showing growth or decline in data over time.
• Pie- Such graphs are used to display one set of data as fractions of a whole. Best for showing a visual distribution of data.
4. Add the header to your graph- The headers, which determine the labels for individual sections of data, should go in the top row of the spreadsheet, starting with cell B1 and moving right from there.
5. Add labels to your graph- The labels that separate rows of data go in the A column (starting in cell A2). Things like time (e.g., "Day 1", "Day 2", etc.) are usually used as labels.
6. Enter your graph’s data
7. Select your data- Select your data, headers and labels as well.
8. Click on the ‘insert’ tab at the top of Excel window.
9. Select a graph type out of the three basic types that is most suitable for the representation of data.
10. Select a graph format like 3D, 2D, etc. and your customized graph will be created in your excel document.
11. Add a title to the graph. Double-click the "Chart Title" text at the top of the chart, then delete the "Chart Title" text, replace it with your own, and click a blank space on the graph.
12. Save your document.
With these simple steps creating graphs for your excel document would really become a easy-peasy task!