How to Insert a Chart in a Powerpoint

PowerPoint 2007 has several types of charts to choose from.

A single chart is worth more than a slide full of bullets. Creating charts for presentations with PowerPoint 2007 is no longer the laborious process it used to be. Enhanced chart and smart art selections, along with the automatic link to Excel 2007, allow you to provide your audience with content that is informative and easy to understand.

Things You'll Need

• Microsoft Office PowerPoint 2007
• Microsoft Office Excel 2007

Instructions

Creating :PowerPoint Charts

1. Select the "Insert" tab. This displays the "Illustrations" group.

2. Click the "Chart" icon to display the "Insert Chart" dialog box.

3. Select the desired chart type from the window on the left and then choose the chart from the window on the right side.

4. Click the "OK" button. Microsoft Excel 2007 opens with sample data on a worksheet alongside the PowerPoint file. The PowerPoint file displays the chart with the sample data.

5. Modify the Excel worksheet by entering new data. The PowerPoint chart changes simultaneously.

6. Create new column and row labels and legends, or change the sample text.

7. Click the Excel Office button and select the "Close" option when finished. This closes the Excel worksheet and displays the final chart in PowerPoint.

Copying Excel Charts

1. Open an existing or new file in PowerPoint.

2. Open an existing chart or create a new chart in Excel 2007.

3. Left-click the chart in Excel 2007 to select it.

4. Select the "Home" tab in Excel 2007. This displays the "Clipboard" group.

5. Left-click the "Copy" icon.

6. In PowerPoint 2007, select a slide to place the chart. If using a placeholder for the chart, click the placeholder to select it.

7. Select the "Home" tab in PowerPoint 2007. This displays the "Clipboard" group.

8. Click the "Paste" icon. The chart is now inserted in PowerPoint. It is also still linked to the existing chart in Excel 2007.

Organization, Flow, and Timeline Charts

1. Click the "Insert" tab, then the "Illustrations" group to insert an organization, flow or timeline.

2. Click the SmartArt icon. This opens the "Choose a SmartArt Graphic" dialog box.

3. Select "Hierarchy" from the left window and then choose the type of chart from the right window to insert an organization chart.

4. Select "Process" for a timeline or a flowchart. (See warning for flow chart)

5. Click the "OK" button. The chart is now ready to be edited using the "SmartArt Tools" on the "Design" tab.

Tips & Warnings

• Microsoft Office Excel 2007 must be installed to use all the PowerPoint and Excel charting functions.

• A native Excel chart copied and pasted from Excel to PowerPoint does not automatically update. Each time edits are made to the chart in Excel, it must be replaced in PowerPoint.

• Traditional flow charts use unique symbols with specific meaning. They are available from the "Home" tab, "Drawing" group, "More" drop-down menu.

References

• Microsoft Office: Use charts and graphs in your presentation
• Microsoft Office: Create an Organization Chart
• Microsoft Office: Create a Smart Graphic
• Microsoft Office: Basic Flow Chart Template for PowerPoint 2007