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Chapter 3 Notes

Charts in spreadsheet programs like Excel visually represent numerical data for easier analysis and comparison. Various types of charts, such as bar, line, pie, and scatter charts, serve different purposes and can be created and modified using specific tools within the program. Users can format charts by changing elements like text, colors, and titles, and utilize features like Sparklines for quick data visualization.

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17 views

Chapter 3 Notes

Charts in spreadsheet programs like Excel visually represent numerical data for easier analysis and comparison. Various types of charts, such as bar, line, pie, and scatter charts, serve different purposes and can be created and modified using specific tools within the program. Users can format charts by changing elements like text, colors, and titles, and utilize features like Sparklines for quick data visualization.

Uploaded by

Swapnadip Chowdhury
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Charts in a spreadsheet program like Excel are used to visually represent numerical

data, making it easier to analyze and compare values. They automatically update
when data values change.

Components of a Chart:

Chart Area: Includes all objects and elements in a chart.

Category Axis (X-axis): The horizontal axis of a chart.

Value Axis (Y-axis): The vertical axis of a chart.

Data Series: A related set of data values.

Axis Titles: Headings given to the X-axis and Y-axis to help understand what
is being depicted.

Plot Area: A window within the Chart Area containing the actual chart,
plotted data, data series, category, and value axis.

Legend: Depicts the colors, patterns, and symbols assigned to a data series,
aiding in accurate chart reading.

Chart Title: Describes the purpose and contents of the chart.

Gridlines: Horizontal or vertical lines depending on the chart type, extending


across the Plot Area to make values easier to read and understand.

Types of Charts:

Bar Chart:

 Illustrates data comparison between individual items.


 Displays data as long rectangular bars placed horizontally.
 Categories are represented on the vertical axis, and values on the horizontal
axis.
 Can be displayed in stacked form as 2D or 3D graphics.
Column Chart:

 Used for displaying data showing different trends over time.


 Default chart type of MS Excel, easy to understand.
 Categories organized horizontally, values vertically, to emphasize the
magnitude of change over time.

Line Chart:

 Represents data trends over regular intervals of time.


 Used to show changes in data over a period.
 Emphasizes continuity by plotting data points connected by lines.

Pie Chart:

 Displays data as slices of a circle, showing proportions of a whole.


 Best for smaller number of values to emphasize significant elements.
 Only shows one data series and is useful for relative size comparison.
Area Chart:

 A variation of line or column charts.


 Shows volume of change over time by plotting points connected with lines.
 Emphasizes the relationship of parts to a whole.

XY (Scatter) Chart:

 Plots data points at the intersection of X and Y numerical values.


 Combines two sets of data, each represented by an axis.
 Useful for scientific data to display the relationship between variables.

Doughnut Chart:

 Similar to a pie chart but can have more than one data series.
 Adds another dimension by displaying data in concentric circles.
 Best suited for showing the proportional nature of data.
Radar Chart:

 Looks like a spider net, displaying data values plotted as points connected by
lines.
 Compares aggregate values of several data series.
 Useful for comparing data that is not time-dependent.

Stock Chart:

 A type of column chart designed for stock market data.


 Displays opening price, closing price, high, and low prices.
 X-axis represents a time series.

Bubble Chart:

 Displays three dimensions of data (X, Y, and Z values).


 Useful for showing the relationship between three variables.
 The size of the bubble represents the third value.
Surface Chart:

 Plots data in a three-dimensional manner, similar to a topographic map.


 Indicates optimum combinations between two sets of data.
 Categories and data series are numeric values.

Creating and Modifying Charts:

 Select the data range including column headings and row labels.
 Click on the Insert tab, choose the desired chart type from the Charts group.
 Use the Design and Format tabs under Chart Tools for editing and formatting.
 To resize or move a chart, select it and drag to the desired location.
 To delete a chart, click on it and press the Delete key.

Formatting Charts:

 Change text, font, line color, width, border style, legends, data series, etc.
 Add or modify chart elements like Axis Titles, Data Labels, Legend,
Gridlines, etc.
 Right-click on chart elements to access formatting options.
 Use the Format Chart task pane to customize background, colors, and
patterns.

Quick Chart Creation:

Select the data and press the F11 key to create a chart instantly in a new sheet
named 'Chart1'.

Additional Features:

Switch between rows and columns using the Select Data Source dialog box.

Sparklines: Mini charts that fit into a single worksheet cell for a quick visual
representation of data
Use the Maps > Filled Map option in the Charts group to create a map chart for
comparing values and showing categories across geographical regions.

To change the chart type and its subtype, we need select the Design tab > Change
Chart Type option in the Type group and choose the required chart.

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