Graphs are a visual way to display information, mainly digital. It can be used both in word processors and in spreadsheets. This article will discuss how to build graphs in Excel. The differences between different versions of this program will be shown and the parameters for constructing non-standard diagrams will be given.
Excel 2007
We will begin the discussion of how to build graphs in Excel with this version, since it was with it that the ribbon interface was introduced into the programs of Microsoft Corporation, and in subsequent versions of this product there are only differences from that.
Any plotting in a spreadsheet is done according to the data. How to make a graph in Excel is shown below:
- You must enter data.
- Click on a free cell.
- Select the tab "Insert".
- In it, go to the "Charts" tab.
- The type of chart that will be needed to build is selected.
- Here you can also go to the "Select data" tab.
- They are highlighted along with the header of the table that were entered earlier.
The graph can be built in columns or in rows, to change you need to click on the "Row / Column" button.
After creating it, you can drag it in any direction. The created schedule will automatically change when new data is added to the original table.
Creating graphs in Excel does not end there. You can set the color, location of the legend, label categories and values, name the abscissa and ordinate axis, give a title to the chart.
Excel 2010
The principle of creation is the same. But there are some differences in charting in Excel 2010 from 2007.
So, when creating a chart and activating it by clicking on it, a group of tabs appears, united under the name âWorking with Chartsâ. Here you can find the tabs âDesignerâ, âLayoutâ and âFormatâ. In the first of them you can find various types of graphs, their styles and layouts.
Using the tabs âLayoutâ and âFormatâ, you can add a chart name, change the axis tilt, or draw a coordinate grid.
Excel 2013
Compared to the previous version, there are few changes in this one. How to build graphs in Excel 2013? At its core, exactly the same. Here the featured âRecommended Chartsâ appeared, with the help of which the program itself determines the most suitable graphic type of data display, that is, there is a reduction in time spent on a short period.
In addition, the following changes have appeared in the program in the tools:
- Correction of the legend is made in one tab.
- In a convenient menu, types of modification of the picture are presented.
- There are markers that resize the field.
Creating a Step Chart
It reflects the dynamics of an indicator over a certain period of time. To create graphs in Excel of this type, you need to use the âError barsâ indicator.
If the growth of any indicator is displayed in the next column after the end of the data entry table, a formula is introduced that reflects the difference between the previous and next value. They are copied to all the cells in this column corresponding to those used in the previous ones.
After that, the âScatter plotâ with straight lines is selected.
The order of the following actions is as follows:
- Next to the chart that appears is a â+â sign, when clicked on, a number of functions will open.
- Clicking on the "Error Limit".
- In the tab "Layout" selects "Current fragment".
- On the abscissa, the âError barsâ are opened and the selected format is pressed.
- In the appeared field in the âDirectionâ button â+â is marked, in the final style âWithout pointâ.
- The error value is fixed (1).
- In this way, the âError barâ is adjusted along the ordinate axis.
- Here the error value is set to âCustomâ.
- In the âNegative Error Valuesâ field that appears, you need to insert data from the column into which the formula was entered.
Two graphs in one diagram
To carry out such an action, you need to build one type of graphic object from the first data. Then a second diagram is added to the same field.
In the "Designer" select "Legend", and in it - "Name of the series", which indicate a new range of values.
Creating a Gantt Chart
It is a cascade of horizontal line graphs. With its help, it shows the beginning and end of an action, the existing connections between tasks in the framework of one project.
It is called a "calendar schedule." In Excel, it is not in the form of a built-in template. However, you can create it using a bar chart and using formatting.
Creation occurs in the following steps:
- The values ââof the beginning and duration of each work within the project are entered.
- A âStacked Bar Chart" is created.
- Click on the mouse anywhere in the active chart, in the context menu - âData Selectionâ.
- Clicking on âAddâ is carried out - the âChange rowâ window opens - enter its name or point to the cell containing it - select the range by clicking on the icon in the "Values" field, specify the "Duration" column.
- After confirming the changes, you will return to the "Data Source Selection" window.
- You will get a bar chart in which there will be two colors, for example, orange and blue.
- The process of its conversion to the Gantt chart begins - for this it is necessary that only data by duration is displayed, and the first of them are made invisible by highlighting this color and selecting from the context menu âData Series Formatâ, in which a dot is placed in front of âFillâ âNo fillâ, and âBorderâ - âNo linesâ.
- In this case, the tasks in the constructed diagram are arranged in the reverse order, you need to click on the works on the left, select âAxis formatâ, select its parameters and check the box âReverse Category Orderâ.
- Since the chart was created from two data, and the first ones were deleted by making them invisible, now they need to be deleted completely.
- Goes to the menu "Cell format" - "Number" - "General", remember or write out the number that will be displayed there.
- The chart clicks on dates and selects âAxis formatâ from the context menu.
- âAxis parametersâ - the âMinimumâ option - changes it to a number from what was written out from the previous steps.
- Here you can specify the main and intermediate divisions, changing them to specific numbers.
Using patterns
A chart created in this way can be saved as an Excel chart template. This will allow its use in the future. To do this, the schedule is activated, the âDesignerâ tab opens, and âSave as templateâ is selected there.
If you need to build a more complex Gantt chart, you can use the Microsoft âProject Plannerâ template, which uses data on the actual and planned start of work, the same duration and percentage completion.
It is available in Excel 2013 and can also be downloaded from the Microsoft website.
Finally
Thus, the article examined how to build graphs in Excel both standard and template using the latter, which can be applied in the future. The described actions are quite simple and accessible for any user.