Creating the basic bar chart

Creating the Basic Bar Chart, Slide 1 Copyright © 2004, Jim Schwab, University of Texas at Austin

Bar charts and column charts are good general purpose charts for depicting the breakdown of the categories for some characteristic or variable. The size of the bar represents the relative size of each category.

Data for the bar chart

Creating the Basic Bar Chart, Slide 2 Copyright © 2004, Jim Schwab, University of Texas at Austin

While a bar chart can be created with only the count of cases in each category of the breakdown, it will save time in the long run to include both the category labels and the count in the range of cells that will be used for the chart.

If we do not include the category labels, Excel will label them with the numeric sequence: 1, 2, 3, etc.

While a bar chart can be created with only the count of cases in each category of the breakdown, it will save time in the long run to include both the category labels and the count in the range of cells that will be used for the chart.

If we do not include the category labels, Excel will label them with the numeric sequence: 1, 2, 3, etc.

Opening the chart tool bar

Creating the Basic Bar Chart, Slide 3 Copyright © 2004, Jim Schwab, University of Texas at Austin

We will use the chart tool bar to create the basic chart.

Open the Chart tool bar from the View > Toolbars menu.

We will use the chart tool bar to create the basic chart.

Open the Chart tool bar from the View > Toolbars menu.

Another tool for creating charts is the Chart Wizard on the Standard tool bar.

Another tool for creating charts is the Chart Wizard on the Standard tool bar.

Selecting bar chart as the chart type

Creating the Basic Bar Chart, Slide 4 Copyright © 2004, Jim Schwab, University of Texas at Austin

First, on the Chart tool bar, click on the down arrow button for the Chart Type tool button.

First, on the Chart tool bar, click on the down arrow button for the Chart Type tool button.

Second, click on the icon for the Bar Chart.

Second, click on the icon for the Bar Chart.

The basic bar chart

Creating the Basic Bar Chart, Slide 5 Copyright © 2004, Jim Schwab, University of Texas at Austin

Excel creates a basic bar chart with a legend indicating the data series for the chart.

Excel creates a basic bar chart with a legend indicating the data series for the chart.

The categories for the breakdown are plotted on the vertical axis, which Excel calls the Category axis.

The categories for the breakdown are plotted on the vertical axis, which Excel calls the Category axis.

The number in each category is plotted on the horizontal axis, which Excel calls the Value axis

The number in each category is plotted on the horizontal axis, which Excel calls the Value axis

Closing the chart tool bar

Creating the Basic Bar Chart, Slide 6 Copyright © 2004, Jim Schwab, University of Texas at Austin

While a few of the tools buttons on the chart tool bar enable us to enhance the chart, there are many that are missing. We will close the chart tool bar and use popup context menus to add features to the chart.

While a few of the tools buttons on the chart tool bar enable us to enhance the chart, there are many that are missing. We will close the chart tool bar and use popup context menus to add features to the chart.

To close the chart tool bar, click on its close box.

To close the chart tool bar, click on its close box.