ClarisWorks Graphing Tutorial

Step 1. Entering Data in a Worksheet

  1. Open the ClarisWorks program. If you're not sure how to do this, ask your teacher!

  2. When the dialog box below appears, choose "Spreadsheet" and click "OK".

  3. When the worksheet appears, copy your data into a data table that will look like the example. To type data or words click on the box. (You can't use the example! It's just a "picture" of your ClarisWorks worksheet.)

  4. Now, click once on the box or cell next to number 1. under column A. and type the word "Object". (Don't worry if the text doesn't look as big or dark as the example. You can change the font size and style later by highlighting it and using the programs' tools, as you do in a word processer.)

  5. Now, click on cell 2A, and type in "Grass." Then, click in cell 3A and type Weed 1. Continue down Column A until you have entered all your objects.

  6. Next, do the same for Column B. Start with the first cell, naming it "Percent" and then type in THE NUMBERS FROM YOUR REAL DATA SHEET NOT the example numbers.

Back to the Steps

Step 2. Selecting Data to graph

  1. Save your table. Click on the "File" menu at the top left, and select the "Save" option. When the dialog box appears, type in a title for your worksheet, something like "Group 1 Lawn Activity Data" and click "Save".

  2. Now, you are ready to make your graph! Click and hold the mouse button on cell 10B. While you are still holding the button, drag the mouse cursor up and to the left and highlight all the cells from 10.B to 1.A and then let go of the mouse button. When you have done this correctly, it will look like the example. (If it doesn't look the same or you want to try again, click anywhere on the sheet to "Un-Highlight" it and try again.)

Back to the Steps

Step 3. Using the Option Menu to Create and Format a Graph

This step only works if the data you want to graph is highlighted!

  1. On the top title bar click and hold on the "Option" menu. When you do, a pop-up menu comes down just like the picture. When you see it and the data is still highlighted, select "Make Chart!"

  2. .When you're done, the dialog box below will show up.The "Chart Options Gallery." allows you to pick the type of graph you want. The first time you do this, make the same selections that you see in the picture above . "Bar " is selected because it's darkened, and " Color" and "3-dimensional" are selected.

Back to the Steps

Step 4. Adding Titles to the Axes

  1. When you've selected the items above, click on the button labeled "Axes." The dialog box below will appear.

  2. Make sure that the button next to "Y axis" is dotted. In the box next to "Axis label" type in the words "Percent Covered." just like in the picture above. Then click the dot next to " X axis." After you do, the whole box will look like the one below.

    3. With the black dot next to "X axis" type in the word "Objects" in the box next to "Axis label." When you are done, click the button on the left called "Labels." The new dialog box below will show up.

Back to the Steps

Step 5. Giving Your Graph a Title

  1. Type in the words "Lawn Quadrat Percent Covered" into the box next to "Title." If you are having trouble typing in the box, just click the mouse cursor in the box. Don't worry if the first two letters of "Lawn" disappear, the box is just not big enough to show the letters!

  2. Click the box next to "Legend" to get rid of the check. You don't really need a legend for this graph. Now you are ready to click the "OK" button to see your new graph! It should look just like the graph below.

Back to the Steps

Step 6. Changing the Size of Finished Graph

Now that the graph is done, you can change its size by clicking on the tiny black squares at the corners or in the middle of the sides, and dragging them out or in. To maintain the correct proportions of the graph HOLD DOWN the SHIFT key as you click-hold-and-drag on the lower corner square. See the little black squares in the chart image below.

Back to the Steps

Step 7. Selecting a New Graph or Changing the One You Have

  1. Use the "Options" menu to select "Make Chart.". The Chart Options Gallery dialog box will appear. Now, you can change the type of graph by selecting one of the buttons.

  2. If you want to change a graph that you already have on your worksheet, click once on the graph, then go to the "Options" menu and select". Modify Chart..." like the picture below.

  3. The "Chart Options" dialog box will show up. Choose the Gallery, Axes, Series, Labels, or General buttons to change any of the features of your graph.

Back to the Steps