You can transform the data in a spreadsheet into a chart. (Charts are also sometimes called graphs.) A chart can visually reveal trends or relationships that aren't readily apparent by looking at rows and columns of numbers.

You can create a chart from part or all of the data in a spreadsheet. In this example spread sheet, only some YQW.5., are selected. You can create a variety of charts from the same data. Each chart type offers a wide range of options for presenting data. You can also use the drawing and painting tools and text formatting options to enhance a chart. Both of the following example charts were produced from the same sample spreadsheet data. A chart is linked to its spreadsheet. If you change the data in the spreadsheet, the chart will update automatically.

A chart displays at least one set of values from a spreadsheet row or column. A chart is made of several parts.

 

Each set of values in a chart is called a data series. For example, in a bar chart, the data series are represented by the bars. In many charts, the series are broken into divisions, which are intervals or categories from the spreadsheet. A data series can come from either a row or column of spreadsheet data. The difference between a data series and a division is that the series is the focus of the chart. In the example chart, the focus is on grain production by region. Each region is a data series, and the types of grains are the divisions. If the types of grains were of most importance, each grain type could be a data series and the regions could be the divisions.

The legend contains the names of the data series and a series box that shows a sample of the color or pattern used to identify the series. The legend is optional.

The title explains the contents of the chart. The title is optional.

 

 

For all charts except pie charts, the axes provide the framework for the chart. The axes are perpendicular lines that are used to plot the data. The Y axis shows the range of data values (in the example chart, the Y axis shows the amount of grain each region produces). The X axis shows the divisions (in the example chart, the X axis shows the types of grains). Tick marks appear on the axes to mark the intervals, and gridlines extend across the chart's background from the tick marks.

You can create a chart from all the data in your spreadsheet or from a selected range of cells.

 

1. Select the data you want to include in the chart.

2. Choose Make Chart from the Options menu.

3. In the Chart Options dialog box, click the type of chart you want to create.

4. Set other chart options. Click the buttons in the Modify area to display other groups of chart options.

Return to Ideas for Using Technology in the Classroom