How to Graph a Column on Microsoft Excel

Make a column chart from a two-columned spreadsheet in Microsoft Excel.

Microsoft Excel 2007 refers to bar graphs as column charts. It is easy to input a series of data and its corresponding numerical figures into Excel and create a column chart. There are chart options listed right on the Microsoft Excel Ribbon to choose from for customizing the column chart. You can create a two-dimensional or three-dimensional column chart. Have your data ready to enter into the spreadsheet to make the process go smoothly. These instructions are for Microsoft Excel 2007 or newer versions.

Instructions

1. Click "Start" and click "All Programs." Click the "Microsoft Office" folder. Click "Microsoft Excel" to open the program. A new blank spreadsheet appears.

2. Type the data into the spreadsheet under the columns "A," "B," "C," and so on. Repeat until all data has been entered.

3. Select all of the data. Hold the mouse button over the first cell under column "A." Click and drag until all of the data is highlighted.

4. Click the "Insert" tab on the Ribbon. Click "Column" and a drop-down menu appears. Click on the "2-D" or "3-D" column chart you want.

Tips & Warnings

• Don't leave blank rows or columns when entering data into the spreadsheet.

References

• LabWrite Resources: Graphing with Excel
• Microsoft Office: Present Your Data in a Column Chart