A graph also called a chart, is a pictorial representation of data and values in an organized manner. Users can easily interpret data and quickly extract valuable information using a graph. A chart is used for data visualization. You might be using Microsoft Excel and need to learn how to create a graph based on your data.
How to make a line graph in Excel? How to make a Pie graph in Excel? How to make a bar graph in Excel? How to make a graph in Excel from a table? This article will help you with how to make a graph in Excel.
Part 1: 9 Types of Graphs in Excel
Excel provides the feature of creating different types of graphs. Each type is different from each other. Based on the input data and situation, a user may want to create a chart using his preferred style. There are nine types of graphs in Excel. We will give a short introduction to each type.
1. Column Graph
A column graph compares categories of data and shows relative values or trends. It is sometimes also called a Bar graph. The columns or bars can be horizontal or vertical.
2. Line Graph
A line graph, often called a line chart, displays continuous data over time or a constant scale, showing trends and patterns. It uses lines to connect individual data points.
3. Pie Graph
A pie graph represents parts of a whole, showing proportions or percentages. These are circular charts divided into segments or slices - each segment or slice represents a value.
4. Bar Graph
A bar graph is used to compare categories of data and show numerical values or comparisons. It uses bars of different heights to represent different values. Other types of bars are used in Bar graphs, e.g., vertical bars, horizontal bars, grouped bars, or stacked bars.
5. Area Graph
An area graph displays cumulative or continuous data over time, emphasizing the total and individual contributions. It can be a combination of a line graph and a bar graph to show changes in values over time.
6. Scatter Graph
A scatter graph analyzes the relationship between two variables and identifies patterns or correlations. The data is placed at various points between the x-axis and y-axis.
7. Stock Graph
A stock graph tracks the price and performance of stocks or financial investments over time. It depicts the current price, high and low values, and trading volumes over time.
8. Radar Graph
A radar graph compares multiple variables or data points, showing their relative strengths or weaknesses.it is often called a polar chart, spider chart, web chart, or star plot.
9. Combo Graph
A combo graph combines multiple charts, such as line, column, or bar graphs, to display different data sets or relationships in a single chart.
Part 2: How to Make a Graph in Excel
We have discussed different types of graphs. You can select any of them according to your data and preferences. Now we will discuss a step-by-step guide on how to make a graph in Excel.
Open your file with Excel.
Select the desired data you want to make a graph of.
Click the Insert tab in the toolbar menu.
Select your preferred type of chart, e.g.; we have selected a 2D bar chart in our case.
You can also select any type of graph from the graph menu.
You can customize the chart per your needs, e.g., changing color, layout, chart type, etc.
Part 3: How to Edit Graph in Excel?
After creating a chart, you can change its layout and formatting to look it more attractive and presentable. You can edit a chart in the following ways.
From Quick Menue
Open your spreadsheet with Excel.
Click the chart. A quick menu will be displayed. You can adjust chart elements and styles, filters, and format chart areas from this menu.
The Chart Element option in the Quick Menu let you adjust the Axis, Chart Title, Data labels, Gridlines, Legend, etc.
The Chart Style option in the Quick Menu gives the advantage of selecting among different built-in styles and colors for the graph.
You can select and deselect different values and names included in your graph from the Chart Filter option.
You can also perform different formatting functions by selecting the Format Chart Area icon in the Quick Menu. You can add chart and text effects, adjust chart colors, add text boxes, etc using these options.
You can add different chart elements by clicking the Edit Chart Elements tab.
For example, we have added data labels from Chart Elements.
You can change the graph's layout by clicking the Quick Layout button.
Change the color of the bars by clicking the Change Color button.
Select among the different built-in styles for your graph.
We have changed the chart style to Style 3.
You can also select different formatting options by clicking the Format button.
You can also reset all styling by clicking the Reset Style button.
Edit the axis format by clicking the Chart Type drop-down menu.
Part 4: Can I Change The Type of Chart I Have Created?
Yes, of course, you can change the chart type at any time by clicking the Change Chart Type icon and selecting your desired style.
We have changed the chart type to Pie Chart.
Part 5: How to Use Pivot Chart to Create a Dynamic Chart?
A pivot chart is used to represent data graphically. We can create a dynamic chart using a pivot chart. Here is how you can do this.
Open an Excel file. Select the data to create a pivot chart by clicking the Insert tab and then Pivot Chart.
Adjust your pivot chart by dragging values from the Field List Area to Pivot Chart Area.
Suppose you created a Pivot chart using your desired settings and values. Click the Data tab to update any existing value.
Now change the value of SOUTH region sales for the month of February to $0.
Click the Options tab and select Refresh data.
You can see that the values in the chart have been updated.
Part 6: More Beautiful Graph Templates
You can also use built-in graph templates to style your graph quickly. WPS Office Spreadsheet has numerous built-in templates to style your charts quickly and easily. You can select the Chart type option and choose your desired template.
FAQs
Why Do We Use Graphs in Excel?
Graphs are used to depict numeric data in a graphical representation. They are used for data visualization. Graphs help in understanding complex data and the relationship among different quantities.
Summary
You have studied different types of graphs in this article. We have also explained how to make a graph in Excel. We also explained how to edit and design a graph. Numerous spreadsheets software are available in the market, including Microsoft Excel, LibreOffice, and WPS Office. Each spreadsheet software has its pros and cons. However, the best among all is the WPS Office Spreadsheet software.
WPS Office Spreadsheets help you to make professional graphs in a few clicks. You can use numerous built-in templates to design your graphs in simple steps. WPS Spreadsheets provide advanced editing and customizing option for charts. WPS Office is a complete suite with a Writer, Presentation, and PDF editor. You can easily convert your Excel files to different formats using WPS Office. WPS Office is compatible with all Microsoft Office file formats. You can get your free WPS Office download from its official website.
