How to Make a Graph in Microsoft Excel

Microsoft Excel makes it easy to make a graph. All you need to do is supply the data for the graph and then let Microsoft Excel create the graph for you. Microsoft Excel provides several graph options from which to choose. Here is how to make a graph in Microsoft Excel.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Basic knowledge of Microsoft Excel
• Data for graph
• Microsoft Excel

Microsoft Excel 2007

1. 
    
   Headings for data

   Label the data you want to graph in Microsoft Excel. In Row 1, type the labels for each piece of data you plan to graph. For example, type “Month” in cell A1 and “Units” in cell B1.

2. 
    
   Data for graph

   Enter the data that you want to graph. Microsoft Excel needs you to provide the data that you want to include in the graph. Under the labels you have set up at the top of each row, type the information you want to graph. For example, type the months of the year under the heading in Column A (“Jan” in A2) and then units under the heading in Column B to correspond with the months in Column A.

3. Highlight the data for the graph. Click and drag your mouse across the data in the Microsoft Excel spreadsheet that you want included in the graph.

4. 
    
   Insert tab

   Click on the "Insert" tab. The insert tab is the second tab at the top of the screen in Microsoft Excel.

5. 
    
   Charts section

   Locate the "Charts" section of the Insert ribbon. Several types of graphs are available from which to choose. (Microsoft Excel refers to graphs as “charts.”)

6. 
    
   Graph options

   Click on the type of graph you want to create. A variety of options for that type of graph display.

7. 
    
   Microsoft Excel line graph

   Click on the option for the graph you want Microsoft Excel to make. Microsoft Excel makes a graph that displays the data you provided in the Microsoft Excel spreadsheet.

8. 
    
   Microsoft Excel line graph

   Change the text on the graph, if desired. If you want to change the title or other text on the graph in Microsoft Excel, click on the text you want to change and then type in your changes.

Microsoft Excel 2003

9. 
    
   Headings for data

   Label the data you want to graph. In Row 1, type the labels for each piece of data you plan to graph. For example, type “Month” in cell A1 and “Units” in cell B1.

10. 
     
    Data for graph

    Enter the data that you want to graph. Microsoft Excel needs you to provide the data that will be included in the graph. Under the labels you have set up in each row, type the information that you want to graph. For example, type the months of the year under the heading in Column A (“Jan” in A2) and the units under the heading in Column B to correspond with the months in Column A.

11. Open the chart wizard window. From the menu bar in Microsoft Excel, click "Insert" and "Chart."

12. 
     
    Chart wizard

    Select the type of graph you want to make. (Microsoft Excel refers to graphs as “charts.”) Under "Chart Type," click on the type of graph you want to make. Then click to select the particular type of graph you want under chart sub-type. Click “Next.”

13. 
     
    Chart wizard

    Select the range for the data to be included in the graph. Microsoft Excel defaults to capture the data in the spreadsheet. If Microsoft Excel does not default to capture the data, then click and drag your mouse over the data to be included in the line graph. Click “Next.”

14. 
     
    Chart wizard

    Define the graph options. Microsoft Excel provides several tabs to define graph options, such as to define where to put the legend, what information should be tracked on which axis and what the title of the graph should be. Make your selections and then click “Next.”

15. 
     
    Chart wizard

    Define where to save the graph. The default is to save the graph in the current spreadsheet. Click the radio button for your choice and then click "Finish." The graph appears where you told Microsoft Excel to make it.

16. 
     
    Microsoft Excel bar graph

    Change the text on the graph, if needed. If you want to change the title or other text on the Microsoft Excel graph, click on the text you want to change and then type in your changes.

Tips & Warnings

• Make sure you provide enough data for the type of graph you select in Microsoft Excel. Some graphs require more than two columns of data.
• Be sure to select the type of graph in Microsoft Excel that best represents the data. You can experiment with several types of graphs to find the one that best meets your needs.