Create Charts Tutorial
Microsoft Excel
Objective: Create a chart to display spreadsheet data
Introduction: Excel is Microsoft's popular spreadsheet software that is primarily known for its strengths in working with spreadsheets and creating graphs. Excel offers over 20 types of charts that you can select and use. Before you start a chart, you must first input the data from which the chart will be drawn. Do this just as you would for creating any Excel worksheet. The selection of chart type is usually driven by the data, although there are no rules for determining the chart type you should use. If you don't like the chart you have selected, it is extremely easy to change to another type.
Skill Practice: Create a chart to display trip expenses.
Step 1: Open 
. Go to File > New, and choose 
to create a new workbook.
Step 2: Left click on cell A1 and type in a title for your spreadsheet (i.e. - Trip to Hawaii).
Step 3: Use cells in Row 2 (A2, B2, C2, D2, etc.) to identify expense categories (i.e. - plane ticket, hotel, rental car, food, etc.).
Step 4: Use cells in Row 3 (A3, B3, C3, D3, etc.) to input actual expense for each travel category listed in Row 2.
Step 5: Left click on cell A2. "Drag" your cursor so that all cells in Row 2 and Row 3 are highlighted. The highlighted cells should now have a thick, black border around them.
Step 6: Go to Insert > Chart. The Chart Wizard window will appear. Browse the standard and custom charts available for use.
Step 7: Choose a chart to insert into your spreadsheet. Follow Chart Wizard directions to create selected chart. When finished, the chart will automatically be inserted into your spreadsheet.
Step 8: * Edit Chart * - Use left and right mouse buttons to edit chart. Left click on the chart - "Sizing handles" will appear to adjust chart size and position. Right click on the chart - format menus will appear to adjust chart layout and font.