Charts

 

Create a Chart  |  Change Chart Type  |  Switch Row/Column  |  Legend Position  |  Data Labels

A simple chart in Excel can say more than a sheet full of numbers. As you'll see, creating charts is very easy.

Create a Chart

To create a line chart, execute the following steps.

1. Select the range A1:D7.

Select a Range in Excel

2. On the Insert tab, in the Charts group, click the Line symbol.

Insert Line Chart

3. Click Line with Markers.

Click Line with Markers

Result:

Line Chart in Excel

Note: enter a title by clicking on Chart Title. For example, Wildlife Population.

Change Chart Type

You can easily change to a different type of chart at any time.

1. Select the chart.

2. On the Chart Design tab, in the Type group, click Change Chart Type.

Change Chart Type

3. On the left side, click Column.

Create a Column Chart

4. Click OK.

Result:

Column Chart in Excel

Switch Row/Column

If you want to display the animals (instead of the months) on the horizontal axis, execute the following steps.

1. Select the chart.

2. On the Chart Design tab, in the Data group, click Switch Row/Column.

Switch Row/Column

Result:

Switched Column Chart

Legend Position

To move the legend to the right side of the chart, execute the following steps.

1. Select the chart.

2. Click the + button on the right side of the chart, click the arrow next to Legend and click Right.

Change Legend Position

Result:

Legend on the Right Side

Data Labels

You can use data labels to focus your readers' attention on a single data series or data point.

1. Select the chart.

2. Click a green bar to select the Jun data series.

3. Hold down CTRL and use your arrow keys to select the population of Dolphins in June (tiny green bar).

4. Click the + button on the right side of the chart and click the check box next to Data Labels.

Add Data Label

Result:

Data Label