How to Create a Graph Using a Spreadsheet

Open the Excel program., Click Blank workbook., Enter your data into the spreadsheet., Click the top left cell., Hold down ⇧ Shift and click your data's bottom right cell., Click the Insert tab., Click Recommended Charts., Click a chart option...

9 Steps 2 min read Medium

Step-by-Step Guide

  1. Step 1: Open the Excel program.

    It resembles a white "E" on a green background.
  2. Step 2: Click Blank workbook.

    It's in the top left side of the template window. , For example, in a graph showing the amount of money spent over the course of a day where "X" is the time of day and "Y" is the amount of money remaining:
    A1 would say "Time".

    B1 would say "Money".

    A2 and down would have different times of the day (e.g., "12:00" in A2, "13:00" in A3, etc.).

    B2 and down would have decreasing amounts of money corresponding to the time in the A column (e.g., "$20" in B2 would mean one had 20 dollars at noon, "$15" in B3 would mean one had 15 dollars at one o'clock, etc.). , If you're following the above template, this will be the A1 cell.

    Doing so will select it. , Performing this action will highlight all of your data. , You'll see this option in the green section of the top of the Excel window, to the right of the Home tab. , It's toward the middle of the group of options near the top of the window. , You can choose from a list of recommended charts based on your data, or you can click the All Charts tab at the top of this window to select one of Excel's many graph variants. , It's in the bottom right corner of the Recommended Charts window.

    Doing so will create a chart from your selected data in the format of your choosing.

    You can edit the graph's title by clicking it and then typing in a new title.
  3. Step 3: Enter your data into the spreadsheet.

  4. Step 4: Click the top left cell.

  5. Step 5: Hold down ⇧ Shift and click your data's bottom right cell.

  6. Step 6: Click the Insert tab.

  7. Step 7: Click Recommended Charts.

  8. Step 8: Click a chart option.

  9. Step 9: Click OK.

Detailed Guide

It resembles a white "E" on a green background.

It's in the top left side of the template window. , For example, in a graph showing the amount of money spent over the course of a day where "X" is the time of day and "Y" is the amount of money remaining:
A1 would say "Time".

B1 would say "Money".

A2 and down would have different times of the day (e.g., "12:00" in A2, "13:00" in A3, etc.).

B2 and down would have decreasing amounts of money corresponding to the time in the A column (e.g., "$20" in B2 would mean one had 20 dollars at noon, "$15" in B3 would mean one had 15 dollars at one o'clock, etc.). , If you're following the above template, this will be the A1 cell.

Doing so will select it. , Performing this action will highlight all of your data. , You'll see this option in the green section of the top of the Excel window, to the right of the Home tab. , It's toward the middle of the group of options near the top of the window. , You can choose from a list of recommended charts based on your data, or you can click the All Charts tab at the top of this window to select one of Excel's many graph variants. , It's in the bottom right corner of the Recommended Charts window.

Doing so will create a chart from your selected data in the format of your choosing.

You can edit the graph's title by clicking it and then typing in a new title.

About the Author

M

Michael Hart

A passionate writer with expertise in practical skills topics. Loves sharing practical knowledge.

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