How to Create a Column Chart in Microsoft Excel

Display data in a column chart using Excel.

Microsoft Excel is spreadsheet software used by individuals and corporations alike. The software is capable of performing simple to complex engineering calculations. Often, it is easier to present data using a graph or chart. A feature of Microsoft Excel allows you to create various types of charts to represent the data. One type of chart you can create in Excel is a column chart.

Instructions

1. Enter labels for the data in column A. For example, to chart student grades, column A would be the names of the students; column A would be titled "Students."

2. Enter the data beside the labels. For example, each row with a student name would have a grade beside it; column B would be titled "Grades."

3. Place the cursor away from the data to ensure that the column chart does not cover the data.

4. Go to the "Insert" tab and click on the down arrow under "Column." Select the first column layout option under "2-D Column"; the column chart layout is entitled "Clustered Column."

5. Click on "Select Data." Click on the square beside the "Chart data range" box. Highlight the data. The "x" (horizontal) axis is the column labels. The "y" axis is the data. Click "OK."

Tips & Warnings

• You can change the type of chart; click on "Change Chart Type" and select the desired chart type. Click on "Switch row/column" to adjust the appearance of the chart. To change the title of the chart and the legend, right-click on the field and go to "Format Chart Title" or "Format Legend."

• Do not leave blank cells within the data.

References

• Microsoft: Present your data in a column chart
• Microsoft: Demo: Create charts in Excel 2007
• Microsoft: Create a chart

Resources

• Microsoft: Microsoft Excel 2007 overview