How to Create Your Own Bar Graph

Bar graphs can show information in an easy way to understand.

When creating a report or presentation, there are often times when a chart or graph could help display information in an attractive and easy to understand way. Using Microsoft software such as Excel or PowerPoint, this is an easy task and one that can be modified in many ways to help give you a personal touch.

Instructions

Excel

1. Highlight the cells in your worksheet that you would like to visualize in a graph.

2. Click on "Insert" and choose "Charts."

3. Choose the type of graph or chart from the selection available. The wizard will then take you through other options such as colors, legends and axis names.

4. Click on "Finish" and Excel will create your graph. Right click on the graph area to make any changes.

PowerPoint

1. Click on "Insert" and select "Chart" while on the slide you want the graph to appear in.

2. Select the type of graph you would like from the options available; for example, you could choose "bar graph." This will bring up a variety of graphs in that fashion for you to choose from such as 2D/3D and vertical/horizontal bars.

3. Click "OK" and the graph will be inserted into your current slide.

4. Click on the various elements of the graph to edit and add data.

Tips & Warnings

• To put a graph in Word, simply create it in either Excel or PowerPoint and then copy and paste it across.

References

• Microsoft Office: Create A Chart
• Microsoft Office: Use Charts and Graphs in Your Presentation