How to Create a Bar Graph

A bar graph is a method of the graphical representation of a set of data (worksheet) using rectangular bars. Bars can be plotted either vertically or horizontally; the length of bars is proportional to represented values. Microsoft Excel is an application designed to work with worksheets that allows to make bar graphs.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Microsoft Excel

1. Launch Microsoft Excel.

2. 
    

   Click on "File" and "Open" to browse your computer and open your worksheet. An example of a worksheet (a monthly balance) is given here.

3. Click on the column letter on the top of an Excel column to select desired sets of data. In our example, select both columns.

4. Click on "Insert" and "Chart" to open the chart wizard.

5. Select the "Standard types" tab and scroll down the list of available chart types. Select "Column" to plot a vertical bar graph or "Bar" to make a horizontal bar graph.

6. Click "Next" and "Next" again to go to "Chart options."

7. Select either the radio button "As a new sheet" to create a separate sheet for the graph, or "As object" to insert a graph object in the current data worksheet.

8. 
    
   Vertical bar graph

   Click "Finish" to create the bar graph.

References

• "Excel 2007: The Missing Manual"; Matthew MacDonald; 2006