Having a worksheet full of larger datasets containing unlimited columns and rows could be a real pain. Arranging such sheet data not only makes you tired but your sheet even does not look attractive with so many values. So, what do you think about how you can make a sheet presentable?
Add some spark to your sheet by turning data into graphs and charts because it gives a completely new look to your sheet. Well, the thing is how to make an Excel graph? For most users, it would be an unknown practice because it requires a step-by-step guide to follow. Once you are familiar with how to use formulas in sheets, you can perform tasks without any trouble. When it comes to presenting data in visual form, you need proper guidance because a lame person can never make it happen.
Excel has built-in features to make charts and graphs instead of exporting other tools. As technology spreads throughout the world, most companies prefer their data to present in visual form using graphs or charts instead of pages and pages of sheets full of columns and rows.
Graphs in Excel
With graphs, you can have different varieties to present data. Graphs are basically simpler than charts because they are more understandable at first glance. The parameters used in graphs are handier than the parameters used in charts. There are many types of graphs and it depends on your data before choosing which graph you will have to prefer.
Let’s find out how to make an Excel graph quickly:
How to Make an Excel Graph
- First, you have to choose the data for which you need to create a chart.
- Choose Recommended Charts option given in the INSERT menu.
- Now, select any chart given in the list of charts that Excel recommends according to your data on the Recommended Charts tab. Click on it for a preview.
- If you don’t find a suitable chart, you can click on All Charts.
- Click OK.
- Now, add other elements used in charts including data labels, axis titles, and chart styles, customize the appearance of the chart, and chart filters, and change the data displayed in the chart.
- Open the chart TOOLS tab from the ribbon. You will be able to add more design and formatting options. Now, click the options you need under the DESIGN and FORMAT tabs.
That’s it! Your graph is ready according to your choice.
Available Graph Types in Excel
Excel has many types of graphs available for statistics. Below are some of the most used graph types in Excel:
Bar/Column Graphs
To present data about two or more groups, you often tend to use a bar graph. Usually, bar graphs are supposed to present comparisons across a range.
Pie Graphs
A circular-shaped graph is capable enough to present the data in the form of a pie. You can divide it into multiple sections and each section covers different data.
Line Graphs
With straight lines, a series of values get connected in the form of a line graph. It is used mainly when you need to check if the values are increasing or decreasing over time.
Scatter Plot
Using dots, a scatter plot shows the data values for two different variables one on each axis. You can find a pattern relationship between two sets of data by using a coordinate or scatter plot.
Area Chart
Using Area Chart, you can identify the change of two or more points as time passes. You may find similarities between a line graph and an area chart. The main difference is the area charts that are filled with color below the line.
Challenges You May Face while Making a Graph in Excel
Making a graph isn’t a big deal. You can easily make a graph when you intend to change simple data sets. However, when it comes to representing data with multiple data types and parameters, it may sound tricky at times. Below are some potential issues you may have to face while converting such huge data into graphs.
You May Forget to Remove Duplicates
Sometimes, when your data is exported from somewhere else, you don’t know much about the data. The data does not have filers and there could be many errors. Therefore, you may end up facing issues in terms of duplicate sneak into a visual representation. You must have clean data first so that you can have a pure outcome in the result.
Data Sorting Could be Problematic while Making Graphs
Data sorting is recommended in online tutorials when you intend to make charts. You must be vigilant when the X-axis is a time-based parameter. Sorting data values could even worsen the flow of the graph as the dates are sorted without proper series. And in a result, you may not be able to find the trends.
