6.1 Creating Charts

- Charts can be used to visualize the relationship between data.

Data Series and Chart

- A chart must include at least one data series.

Data seriesChart

6.1 Creating Charts

- A chart can be created by selecting the group of cells which store the data, then select ‘Insert’ ➞ ‘Chart’ from the Menu bar.

Creating a Chart

- Or click the ‘Chart Wizard’ button from the Standard toolbar.

6.1 Creating Charts

- The Chart Wizard provides step-by-step instructions to create a chart.

Selecting an Appropriate Type of Chart

- Three most commonly used charts• Bar chart• Pie chart• Line chart

6.1 Creating Charts

Bar chart - comparing values- E.g. the number of students getting a particular grade in an

examination.

Selecting an Appropriate Type of Chart

Note that in Microsoft Excel, avertical bar chart is also calleda column chart.

6.1 Creating Charts

Pie chart• presenting data that is a percentage of a whole• only include one data series

Selecting an Appropriate Type of Chart

6.1 Creating Charts

Line chart• presenting the differences of data over a period of time• e.g. monthly average temperature of a city.• It can include more than one data series.

Selecting an Appropriate Type of Chart

6.1 Creating Charts

- The Chart Wizard provides many kinds of charts other than the ones mentioned above.

Selecting an Appropriate Type of Chart

- Choose different charts for different purposes.

6.1 Creating Charts

- The Chart Wizard provides many kinds of charts other than the ones mentioned above.

Selecting an Appropriate Type of Chart

- Choose different charts for different purposes.

6.2 Editing Charts

- Chart title, legend and data labels play an important part in describing the data presented in a chart.

Adding Chart Title, Legend and Data Labels

(1) For example, after selecting the chart type and chart sub-type in ChartWizard, click ‘Next’ .

6.2 Editing Charts

Adding Chart Title, Legend and Data Labels

(2) Check the source of the data and the appearance of the chart. Click ‘Next’ .

6.2 Editing Charts

Adding Chart Title, Legend and Data Labels

(3) Enter the chart title and if necessary, labels for the axis of the chart in the ‘Titles’ tab.

Title

Axis label

6.2 Editing Charts

Adding Chart Title, Legend and Data Labels

(4) The legend can be turned on or off in the ‘Legend’ tab.

Legend

6.2 Editing Charts

Adding Chart Title, Legend and Data Labels

(5) Data labels can be selected in the ‘Data Labels’ tab. Click ‘Next’ .

Data label

6.2 Editing Charts

Adding Chart Title, Legend and Data Labels

(6) Finally select the place where the chart should be inserted and click ‘Finish’ to complete.

6.2 Editing Charts

Resizing the Chart

- Sometimes, you may feel that the charts created by the spreadsheet may be too large or too small.

- You can drag the handles (8 small black squares on the border) of thechart to change its size.

6.2 Editing Charts

Resizing the Chart

- When a chart is resized, the font size is automatically adjusted.

- It is often necessary to manually re-adjust the font size to make them readable.

- The font size can be changed by first selecting the chart and then clicking the font size box.

6.2 Editing Charts

Resizing the Chart

6.2 Editing Charts

Changing to Colours and Background of a Chart

- Charts can be presented in an attractive way by choosing suitable colours and backgrounds.

- Gradient fill effects, patterns, texture and images that matchwith the chart content can be used as its background.

- However, the background colours should be chosen carefully such that the text can be easily seen.

6.2 Editing Charts

Changing to Colours and Background of a Chart

- After creating a chart, right-click it to display a menu and select ‘Format Chart Area’.

- Border colours, chart area colours and fill effects can then be applied to the chart.

Chart border settingsChart area fill effects

6.2 Editing Charts

Changing to Colours and Background of a Chart

- The ‘Fill Effects’ button allows us to set gradient colours, texture, pattern and picture for the chart area.

6.2 Editing Charts

Changing to Colours and Background of a Chart

- The ‘Fill Effects’ button allows us to set gradient colours, texture, pattern and picture for the chart area.

6.2 Editing Charts

Changing to Colours and Background of a Chart

- Make sure that the fill effects cannot be too bright, colourful or withlittle contrast with the lines shown on the chart.

- Otherwise, the chart will not be able to present its data clearly.

6.2 Editing Charts

Changing to Colours and Background of a Chart

- Make sure that the fill effects cannot be too bright, colourful or withlittle contrast with the lines shown on the chart.

- Otherwise, the chart will not be able to present its data clearly.