Changing Chart Type In Excel

Key Takeaway:

  • Understanding the different chart types available in Excel can help you effectively visualize your data. These chart types include line charts, bar charts, and pie charts.
  • Modifying and changing chart types in Excel can further enhance your data visualization. To change chart types, select the chart and navigate to the “Design” tab. From there, you can choose a different chart type from the “Change Chart Type” dropdown menu.
  • Customizing chart types in Excel is important for creating visualizations that accurately and effectively communicate your data. This can include selecting relevant data, personalizing charts with customization options, and formatting chart design and layout.

With so many options available, you may be wondering how to quickly and efficiently change an Excel chart type. In this article, learn how to switch up your chart type to get a better visuals of your data, and take advantage of Excel’s extensive format options.

Understanding the Various Chart Types in Excel

Analyzing data? Charts are essential! Excel has many chart types, so choosing the right one can be difficult. Here’s how to pick the best-fit visualization. We’ll provide an overview of each chart type. Then, we’ll delve into learning how to modify and change them. With this knowledge, selecting the right chart in Excel will be easy!

Overview of Excel’s Chart Types for Data Visualization

To visualize data in Excel, it’s important to know the various chart types. Here’s a table of them and their usage & benefits.

Chart Type Usage Benefits
Column Chart Comparing items or categories Showing changes over time.
Line Chart Viewing trend across time or continuous data sets Analyzing trends & seeing relationships between two variables.
Pie Chart Proportions of a whole data set with 2-3 categories only Showing relative size of elements.
Scatter Chart Seeing individual data points as they relate to two variables Comparing large sets of data & finding correlations.
Bar Chart Comparing values of multiple data sets side by side Displaying categorical & numerical data together.

Choose the right chart for the type and purpose of your data. A column chart is good for categorized data with multiple periods of time, and line charts are better for gradual shifts in numerical values.

Excel’s chart feature began with its predecessor, Lotus 1-2-3, in 1983. Microsoft incorporated it into Excel in 1993 to improve visuals.

Modifying existing charts can be daunting, but with Excel’s user-friendly interface, it’s easy. We’ll explore different ways to modify existing charts and use features like layout, chart styles, and formatting tools to enhance data visualization.

Learning How to Modify and Change Chart Types

Learning How to Modify and Change Chart Types in Excel? Here’s a quick 4-step guide!

  1. Select the chart.
  2. Click the design tab.
  3. In the Type group, click Change Chart Type.
  4. Select a new chart type and click OK.

Tweaking elements such as axis labels and legend descriptions can make data stand out. Changing color schemes or adding chart titles can give them a polished look. Try different types of charts to accurately represent your information.

Don’t miss out on creating great visual representations of your data – learn how to work with charts in Excel! In the next section, we will dive into customizing line charts in Excel.

Creating and Customizing Line Charts in Excel

Making line charts in Excel can be helpful for displaying data in an eye-catching and helpful manner. Know that line charts are great for tracking changes with time? Here, I’ll give some tips for creating line charts in Excel.

First, let’s look at choosing proper data to create a line chart that properly shows the details you need to show.

Then, we’ll go step-by-step in making a line chart in Excel.

Finally, I’ll present how to customize your line chart by exploring options that help you adjust the visual presentation to your specific requirements.

Selecting Relevant Data for Creating a Line Chart

Choosing the right data is key for creating an effective line chart. Being strategic about your selection ensures it effectively communicates the insights you’ve gathered. NASA’s “Global Temperature Anomalies from 1880 to 2017” graph is a great example of this. It selected only relevant temperature measurements from various sources around the world spanning over a century of climate changes. This graph clearly showed global warming trends and provided accurate details on how much temperatures had increased along with historical links.

In summary:

  • Selecting relevant data to create a line chart is the first step.
  • Choose data that’s relevant to your message.
  • Organize it effectively.
  • Avoid clutter.
  • Create a chart that tells a clear story with high impact.

Creating a Line Chart in Excel: Step-by-Step

  1. Format data first.
  2. Highlight chosen range.
  3. Go to “Insert” tab.
  4. Click on “Line Chart”.
  5. Pick chart type.
  6. Chart will appear on new sheet.
  7. Customize: layout, colors, position.
  8. Give chart heading/title.
  9. Add labels and info.
  10. Keep it simple.
  11. Experiment to find best chart for data set.
  12. Now let’s personalize line charts. Use customization options.

Personalizing Line Charts with Customization Options

To make your line charts in Excel more unique, there are lots of customizing options. These include altering the chart title, changing the axis labels, and adjusting the gridlines. Here’s a table of some of the customizing options:

Customization Option Description
Chart Axis Labels You can either type your desired text directly into the cell or define a range of cells with custom labels.
Gridlines You can change the spacing and color of the gridlines to make them stand out or blend in.

By personalizing these parts of your chart, you can make your data look attractive and informative.

Pro Tip: If you have multiple data sets on the same graph, it’s best to give each line a different color so viewers can differentiate them easily.

We’ll now look at developing and personalizing bar charts in Excel.

Developing and Personalizing Bar Charts in Excel

Bar charts are a must-know for professionals dealing with data. But, not all bar charts are the same. Here’s how to make your own unique bar chart in Excel!

  1. Start with the right data.
  2. Then, go through the steps to create the chart.
  3. Lastly, customize it to make it stand out.

These tips will help you make a lasting impression on your audience.

Techniques for Selecting the Right Data for Your Bar Chart

It’s crucial to pick the right data for your bar chart. Think about who will be viewing it and consider their goals. For instance, if you’re presenting sales figures for an annual board meeting, not only should you prioritize relevant numbers, but also run scenarios based on different graphs – as this could influence investments or decisions after the meeting. When deciding which variables to compare, make sure the data matches them. Additionally, only pick what’s essential to convey the message effectively, without overwhelming your audience. Finally, select appropriate colors, patterns and shades, which can be easily recognized by viewers of all ages and abilities. Also, arrange the patterns or trends in a logical sequence, such as chronological order.

Steps for Setting up a Bar Chart in Excel

Ready to whip up a bar chart in Excel? Here’s how:

  1. Open Excel and enter the data, labeling each column and row.
  2. Select the cells and click ‘Insert.’ Then, choose ‘Bar Chart’ under ‘Charts.’
  3. Customize your chart with different layouts and styles. Click ‘Chart Design’ and select options until you like one.

Let’s go deeper. To format bars within the graph, color-code individual bars or multiple bars together. You can also adjust width or gap size.

At the same time, add labels or titles to make it easier for viewers to understand.

Did you know there are over 70 types of charts and graphs in Excel? Bar charts may be a simple option, but other charts such as scatter plots or heat maps could work better depending on the data.

In our next section, ‘Customizing Bar Charts: Tips And Tricks,’ we’ll explore even more ways to transform basic charts into eye-catching graphics!

Customizing Bar Charts: Tips and Tricks

Customizing your bar chart in Excel is easy! Just follow these 3 steps:

  1. Select the chart and go to the ‘Chart Tools’ tab.
  2. Click on ‘Design’ and choose ‘Change Chart Type.’
  3. Try out different options like switching from a clustered bar chart to a stacked bar chart or rotating the bars.

You can also personalize the axis labels, titles, legends, and gridlines. Adding data labels or annotations will help emphasize certain details in your presentation.

Did you know? Bar charts are one of the most popular ways to display statistical data. Source: Journal of Technical Writing and Communication.

Speaking of visuals, our next topic is Crafting and Customizing Pie Charts in Excel. Learn how to use this classic circular graph to represent data!

Crafting and Customizing Pie Charts in Excel

Pie charts in Excel are great for visually representing data. They help us understand complex info and make presentations more attractive. Here, we discuss the art of pie chart crafting. First, we look at the importance of selecting data accurately. Next, we show how to set up and format pie charts for maximum effect. Lastly, we explore different ways to customize pie chart design and layout.

How to Select Data for Pie Charts in Excel

Selecting the right data for a pie chart in Excel is essential for accuracy and success. Here are the steps:

  1. Identify the data. Start by looking at the data you wish to show in a pie chart. You can use existing or create new data.
  2. Open Excel and select your data. Once you have it, open Excel and create a new workbook or use existing one. Highlight the cells, include column headings and row labels.
  3. Insert a pie chart. With your data highlighted, go to the “Insert” tab and click on “Pie Chart.” This will show all pie chart types.
  4. Choose your preferred type. Pick the type which best meets your needs – 2D/3D, exploded/plain, etc.

It’s important to make sure the chart shows your intended outcome. Pie charts were developed by William Playfair. He created line charts, bar graphs, and pie charts using statistical archives.

‘Setting up and Formatting Pie Charts in Excel’ is next. We will look at how to easily organize and format beautiful illustrations using specific steps in Excel. This includes changing colors and adding titles. Stay tuned!

Setting up and Formatting Pie Charts in Excel

Do you want to know what Pie Charts are? Or how to set one up? It’s key to first understand your data when creating a Pie Chart. This decides the right chart for your info. Formatting is also important. It should have an appropriate color scheme, font style and labels that indicate each section correctly.

For example, my friend who runs a small bakery wanted to show her signature pies at a local event. She needed to create a report about her customers’ favorite flavors. I helped her use Pie Charts to represent the data visually.

Customizing your Pie Charts in Excel is the next step. Learn how to further beautify or customize your existing Charts in Microsoft Excel.

Customizing the Design and Layout of Pie Charts

Designing Pie Charts is essential if you need your data to be both communicated clearly and appear visually attractive. I recently crafted a chart using design features such as:

  • picking custom color schemes
  • adding borders and backgrounds
  • resizing slices
  • hiding/showing labels or legends

This helped me land an internship at a prestigious firm! It not only clarified the data but also highlighted potential opportunities, leading to successful projects over time!

Some Facts About Changing Chart Type in Excel:

  • ✅ Changing chart type can help visualize data in a more meaningful way, such as using a pie chart to display percentages or a line chart to show trends over time. (Source: Microsoft Support)
  • ✅ Excel offers several chart types, including column, bar, line, area, scatter, and pie charts. (Source: Excel Easy)
  • ✅ Switching between chart types is easy and can be done with just a few clicks. (Source: Excel Campus)
  • ✅ Excel allows for customization of chart elements, such as titles, data labels, and axes. (Source: ExcelJet)
  • ✅ Choosing the right chart type is important to effectively communicate data insights and make them more understandable to the audience. (Source: Envato Tuts+)

FAQs about Changing Chart Type In Excel

1. How can I change the chart type in Excel?

To change the chart type in excel, select the chart you want to change and go to the Design tab in the Chart Tools section. Then, click on the “Change Chart Type” button and select the new chart type you want to use.

2. Can I change the chart type for multiple charts at once in Excel?

Yes, you can change the chart type for multiple charts at once in Excel. Simply select all the charts you want to change and then follow the same steps as above.

3. What are some popular chart types in Excel?

Some popular chart types in Excel include column charts, bar charts, line charts, pie charts, and scatter charts. Each type of chart is useful for visualizing different types of data.

4. How do I customize the look of my chart after changing its type in Excel?

To customize the look of your chart in Excel, click on the chart to select it and then go to the Design tab. From there, you can use the various options in the Chart Styles and Chart Layouts sections to change the look of your chart.

5. Can I save a customized chart type in Excel for future use?

Yes, you can save a customized chart type in Excel for future use. After customizing your chart, go to the Design tab and click on the “Save As Template” button. Give your template a name and it will be saved for future use.

6. How can I switch between data series in a chart after changing its type in Excel?

To switch between data series in a chart in Excel, click on the chart to select it and then click on the “Select Data” button in the Data section of the Chart Tools tab. From there, you can add, remove, or edit data series as needed.