How to Create a Bar Graph From an Excel Spreadsheet

For most people, a picture is more compelling than columns of numbers in cells, so convert your spreadsheet to a bar chart or line graph. These steps are intended for Microsoft Excel 97.

Difficulty:

Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need

• Excel Book
• Microsoft Excel
• Microsoft Office

Creating a Chart

1. Start Microsoft Excel, and open the file you want to use to make a chart.

2. Drag the cursor over the columns you want to show in your chart.

3. Open the Insert menu, and select Chart. You can also select the chart icon on the toolbar.

4. Select the type of chart you want to make, such as a line graph or pie chart, from the list on the left.

5. Press Finish if you do not want to label or format your chart.

6. Press Next to label and format your chart.

Formatting Your Graph

1. In the box that appears after you clicked Next, click the Series tab.

2. Click on Series1, and enter a label for your data, such as "Number of Widgets per Month," in the Name field.

3. Click on any additional series, and name those as well.

4. Click Next.

5. Select the Titles tab to label your chart and both its x-axis and y-axis.

6. Select the Axes, Gridlines, or Legend tabs to format the look of your chart.

7. Select the Data Label tab to label specific points on your chart.

8. Select the Data Table tab to add a table of chart data under your chart.

9. Click Next.

10. Decide whether you want your chart on a new worksheet or on the same worksheet with your current Excel entries.

11. Click Finish.

Tips & Warnings

• You do not need to select an entire column.

• A bar graph shows how data has changed over a period of time.

• A line chart shows trends at intervals.

• Use the Back button if you want to change your selection.

• Press Cancel if you do not want to continue creating your chart.

• After the chart is done, you can also use the Chart menu to change the chart format.

• Use the Chart Wizard provided with Excel.