Presenting Data Visually in Microsoft
Presenting Data Visually in Microsoft Excel: Table and Column Chart Edition Overview This tutorial is for a user familiar with, but still new to, Microsoft Excel. In this tutorial, you will learn how to take data you have collected, perhaps from second hand statistics or a survey you conducted yourself, and visually present it in a way that your audience, perhaps made up of consumers or supervisors, will easily understand.
Enter Data in Excel 1. In cell [A1], write out your first heading. The example used “Heading1.” 2. Do the same as STEP 1 with your next three headings in cells [B1], [C1], and [D1] respectively.* The example used “Heading 2,” “Heading 3,” and “Heading 4.” 3. In cell [A2], begin your first line of data. The example is using made up statistics for its data. 4. Do the same as STEP 3 with cells [B2], [C2], and [D2] respectively.* 5. Repeat STEPS 3 AND 4 with your next three lines of data. (SEE FIGURE 1) You should now have headers in [A1:D1] and data in [A2:D6]. *Tip: Hit “Tab” to quickly move to the next horizontal cell. Hit “Enter” to quickly move to the starting cell of the next row.
FIGURE 1
Format Data as Table 1. Highlight the entire cell range [A1:D6]. 2. Locate Format as Table within the Styles box of the Home tab. (SEE FIGURE 2) 3. Select Format as Table and then select a table style from the drop-down options. The example chose “Light Style 1” for its blue colors and contrasting header row. 4. Make sure the data coincides with your table, [A1:D6], and that the box for “My table has headers” has been checked. 5. Select OK. You will now see your styled table.
FIGURE 2
Represent Table as a Chart 1. Select your table. 2. Under the Insert tab within the Charts box, select Insert Column Chart. (SEE FIGURE 3) 3. Select desired chart style. (SEE FIGURE 4) The example uses “Clustered Column.”
FIGURE 3
Customize Chart Title 1. Double click the text Chart Title. 2. Type in desired title. (SEE FIGURE 4) The example used “My New Title”.
FIGURE 4
Change Chart Color 1. Select your chart. 2. Under the Design tab, select Change Colors. (SEE FIGURE 5) 3. Choose desired colors. (SEE FIGURE 6) The example used “Monochromatic: Color 5” for a subtle look. For a look with higher contrast, choose a non-Monochromatic color palette such as, “Colorful: Color 4”.
FIGURE 5
FIGURE 6
Separate Chart on to a New Sheet 1. Select your chart. 2. Under the Design tab, in the Location box, select Move Chart. (SEE FIGURE 7) 3. In the resulting dialogue box, chose the New Sheet option. (SEE FIGURE 8) 4. Select OK. The chart will appear on a new Sheet.
FIGURE 7
FIGURE 8
Enter Data in Excel 1. In cell [A1], write out your first heading. The example used “Heading1.” 2. Do the same as STEP 1 with your next three headings in cells [B1], [C1], and [D1] respectively.* The example used “Heading 2,” “Heading 3,” and “Heading 4.” 3. In cell [A2], begin your first line of data. The example is using made up statistics for its data. 4. Do the same as STEP 3 with cells [B2], [C2], and [D2] respectively.* 5. Repeat STEPS 3 AND 4 with your next three lines of data. (SEE FIGURE 1) You should now have headers in [A1:D1] and data in [A2:D6]. *Tip: Hit “Tab” to quickly move to the next horizontal cell. Hit “Enter” to quickly move to the starting cell of the next row.
FIGURE 1
Format Data as Table 1. Highlight the entire cell range [A1:D6]. 2. Locate Format as Table within the Styles box of the Home tab. (SEE FIGURE 2) 3. Select Format as Table and then select a table style from the drop-down options. The example chose “Light Style 1” for its blue colors and contrasting header row. 4. Make sure the data coincides with your table, [A1:D6], and that the box for “My table has headers” has been checked. 5. Select OK. You will now see your styled table.
FIGURE 2
Represent Table as a Chart 1. Select your table. 2. Under the Insert tab within the Charts box, select Insert Column Chart. (SEE FIGURE 3) 3. Select desired chart style. (SEE FIGURE 4) The example uses “Clustered Column.”
FIGURE 3
Customize Chart Title 1. Double click the text Chart Title. 2. Type in desired title. (SEE FIGURE 4) The example used “My New Title”.
FIGURE 4
Change Chart Color 1. Select your chart. 2. Under the Design tab, select Change Colors. (SEE FIGURE 5) 3. Choose desired colors. (SEE FIGURE 6) The example used “Monochromatic: Color 5” for a subtle look. For a look with higher contrast, choose a non-Monochromatic color palette such as, “Colorful: Color 4”.
FIGURE 5
FIGURE 6
Separate Chart on to a New Sheet 1. Select your chart. 2. Under the Design tab, in the Location box, select Move Chart. (SEE FIGURE 7) 3. In the resulting dialogue box, chose the New Sheet option. (SEE FIGURE 8) 4. Select OK. The chart will appear on a new Sheet.
FIGURE 7
FIGURE 8
