How to Make a Graph Using Excel

Instructions
Things You'll Need:
Basic knowledge of Excel
Data for graph
Microsoft Excel 2007
1
Label the data you want to
graph. In Row 1, type the labels
for each piece of data you plan to
graph. For example, type
"Month" in cell A1 and "Units" in
cell B1.
2
Enter the data that you want to
graph. Under the labels you have
set up at the top of each column,
type the information you want to
graph. For example, type the
months of the year under the
heading in Column A ("Jan" in
A2) and the units under the
heading in Column B, to
correspond with the months in
Column A.
3
Highlight the data for the graph.
Click and drag your mouse
across the data in the Excel
spreadsheet.
4
Click on the "Insert" tab, the
second tab at the top of the
screen.
5
Locate the "Charts" section of the
insert ribbon. Several types of
graphs (called "charts" in Excel)
are available.
6
Click on the type of graph you
want to create. Options for that
type of graph will display.
7
Click on the option for the graph
you want Excel to make. Excel
will then make a graph
displaying the data you provided
in the Excel spreadsheet.
8
Change text on the graph, if
needed. If you want to change
the title or other text on the
graph, click on the text you want
to change and then type in your
changes.
Microsoft Excel 2003
1
Label the data you want to
graph. In Row 1, type the labels
for each piece of data you plan to
graph. For example, type
"Month" in cell A1 and "Units" in
cell B1.
2
Enter the data that you want to
graph. Under the labels you have
set up at the top of each column,
type the information you want to
graph. For example, type the
months of the year under the
heading in Column A ("Jan" in
A2) and the units under the
heading in Column B, to
correspond with the months in
Column A.
3
Open the Chart Wizard window.
From the menu bar, click "Insert"
and "Chart."
4
Select the type of graph you
want to make. Under "Chart
Type," click on the type of chart,
then click to select the particular
type of graph under "Chart Sub-
type." Click "Next."
5
Select the range for the data to
be included in the graph. Excel
defaults to capture the data in the
spreadsheet. If Excel does not
default to capture the data, then
click and drag your mouse over
the data to be included in the
graph. Click "Next."
6
Define graph options. Excel 2003
provides several tabs to define
graph options, such as where to
put the legend, what information
should be tracked on which axis
and what the title of the graph
should be. Make your selections
and then click "Next."
7
Define where to save the graph.
The default is to save the graph
in the current spreadsheet. Click
the button for your choice and
then click "Finish." The graph will
appear where you told Excel to
make it.
8
Change the text on the graph, if
needed. If you want to change
the title or other text on the
graph, click on the text you want
to change and then type in your
changes.