Examining Chart Elements.
A chart is a graphic representation of spreadsheet
data that uses columns, points, pie wedges,
and other forms to represent numbers from
a select range. As the data in the spreadsheet
changes, the chart also changes to reflect
the new numbers. To get the most out of charts,
you need to familiarize yourself with the
basic chart elements.
Category Axis.
The axis (usually the X axis) that contains
the category groupings.
Chart Title.
The title of the chart.
Data Marker.
A symbol that represents a specific data value.
The symbol used depends on the chart type.
Data Series.
A collection of related data values. Normally,
the marker for each value in a series has
the same pattern.
Data Value.
A single piece of data. Also called a data
point.
Gridlines.
Optional horizontal and vertical extensions
of the axis tick marks. These make data values
easier to read.
Legend.
A guide that shows the colors, patterns, and
symbols used by the markers for each data
series.
Plot Area.
The area bounded by the category and value
axes. It contains the data points and gridlines.
Value Axis.
The axis (usually the Y axis) that contains
the data values.
Understanding Chart Types.
Excel offers 11 different types of charts,
including column charts, bar charts, line
charts, and pie charts. The chart type you
use depends on the type of data and how you
want to present that data visually. Although
you must select a particular chart type when
you first construct your chart, you can quickly
and easily change to a different chart type
later on if you need to.
Click the Charts tab.
Column.
A chart that, like a bar chart, compares distinct
items or shows single items at distinct intervals.
However, a column chart is laid out with categories
along the horizontal axis and values along
the vertical axis.
Line.
A chart that shows how a data series changes
over time. The category (X) axis usually represents
a progression of even increments (such as
days or months), and the series points are
plotted on the value (Y) axis.
Pie.
A chart that shows the proportion of the whole
that is contributed by each value in a single
data series. The whole is represented as a
circle (the “pie”), and each value is
displayed as a proportional “slice” of
the circle.
Bar.
A chart that compares distinct items or shows
single items at distinct intervals. A bar
chart is laid out with categories along the
vertical axis and values along the horizontal
axis.
Area.
A chart that shows the relative contributions
over time that each data series makes to the
whole picture.
Scatter or X Y Chart.
A chart that shows the relationship between
numeric values in two different data series.
It can also plot a series of data pairs in
XY coordinates.
Stock.
A chart that is designed to plot stock market
prices, such as a stock’s daily high, low,
and closing values.
Surface.
A chart that analyzes two sets of data and
determines the optimum combination of the
two.
Doughnut.
A chart that, like a pie chart, shows the
proportion of the whole that is contributed
by each value in a data series. The advantage
of a doughnut chart is that you can plot multiple
data series.
Bubble.
A chart that is similar to an XY chart, except
that there are three data series, and in the
third series the individual plot points are
displayed as bubbles (the larger the value,
the larger the bubble).
Radar.
A chart that makes comparisons within a data
series and between data series relative to
a center point. Each category is shown with
a value axis extending from the center point.
