Chart Basics PDF

An effective chart depicts data in a clear, easy-to-interpret fashion. It is a visual representation of numerical data that compares data and helps to reveal trends or patterns to help people make informed decisions. Figure 3.1 illustrates the computer-related jobs with growth percent and pay. Notic...

An effective chart depicts data in a clear, easy-to-interpret fashion. It is a visual representation of numerical data that compares data and helps to reveal trends or patterns to help people make informed decisions. Figure 3.1 illustrates the computer-related jobs with growth percent and pay. Notice how the data is arranged in rows and columns. 1 Figure 3.6 illustrates a column chart, with chart elements, that plots the number of job titles and number of jobs by the year 2020. 2 Figure 3.12 illustrates a clustered bar chart. This type of chart compares values across categories using horizontal bars. Bar charts, like column charts, may plot single or multiple data series and appear clustered or stacked. 3 Figure 3.13 illustrates a line chart. This type of chart uses a line to connect data points in order to show trends over a period of time. The X-axis (Category axis) typically displays time units, and the Y-axis (Value axis) displays values for each point. 4 Figure 3.14 illustrates a pie chart. This type of chart plots a single data series where each point is a sector with area proportional to the total of the series. A legend is used to display the category label for each data point in a different color. Data labels, such as percentages, are often portrayed on the pie wedges. An exploded pie chart separates one or more pie slices from the rest. 5 Table 3.3 shows some of the elements available in a chart. They include the axes, axis titles, chart titles, data labels, and data table. 6 The Select Data Source dialog box illustrated in Figure 3.37 can be used to add a new data series, remove an existing one, or edit the range on an existing series. 7 A sparkline is a small line, column, or win/loss chart contained in a single cell. It presents a condensed visual illustration of data. Unlike regular charts, a sparkline does not include chart layout objects such as a chart title or axes labels. To create a sparkline, click Line, Column, or Win/Loss in the Sparklines group on the INSERT tab. Insert the cell references in the Data Range box. Enter the range where you want the sparkline to appear in the Location Range box. 8