Excel Graphing Tutorial

Step 1: Creating a Worksheet

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

  2. Copy your data into a data table. To type data or words click on the box and type. (You can't use the example! It's just a "picture" of your Excel worksheet.)

  3. Click on the box or cell next to number 1 under column A, and type "X Axis (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 the text and using the programs tools as you do in a word processer.)

  4. Click on cell 2A and type in "Grass". Click in cell 3A and type Weed 1. Continue down Column A until you have entered all your objects.

  5. Do the same for Column B. Start with the first cell, naming it "Y Axis (Percent)" and then type in THE NUMBERS FROM YOUR REAL DATA SHEET, NOT the example numbers.

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Step 2. Selecting Data to Graph

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

  2. Now you are ready to make a 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 any where on the sheet to "un-highlight" it and try again.)
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Step 3. Selecting the "Chart Wizard"

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

Click the button on the Toolbar that selects the "Chart Wizard." If you did this right a dialog box like the one below appears.

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Step 4. Selecting the Type of Graph

  1. Select (click on) the"Column" option under "Chart type:" on the left side of the dialog box. (It may already be darkened!).

  2. When the Column square is selected, click the "Next >" button. The dialog box below will appear.

  3. This dialog box lets you select Rows or Columns. Leave it on "Columns" and click the "Next >" button. The dialog box below will appear.

  4. This box has many options. Look for the "Titles" tab at the top. To the right is a miniature view of what the real graph will look like. Notice that the chart title has been filled in. (Percent Coverage) Make sure to type the title YOU want in this box . Click in the "Category (X) axis" area, and type the name YOU want the "bottom" or X axis to read. (The sample has "Objects" as a label.) Do the same for the "Value (Y) axis:" box. (The sample has "Percent.")

  5. The picture above shows another option you can choose with the same dialog box. Notice that the "Legend" tab was selected. From this box you can choose whether you want a legend and/or where you want it to show up.

  6. After reviewing this option click the "Next >" button. The dialog box below will appear.

  7. With this last dialog box you can choose where you want the graph to appear. You can have it show up on the current worksheet or on a new worksheet. When you have made your choice, click the "Finish" button and a graph like the one pictured below will appear.

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Step 5. Changing the Size of the Finished Graph

Now that the graph is done, you can change its size by, click-holding-and cragging on the little black squares at the corners and sides of the graph. Doing this may help make the graph look better. (If the result is not good, you can hit the delete key and start over at Step 2.) If you are happy with the way it looks, "SAVE" the page again. Remember, "Save" is found under the File menu on the top left. You can also save by holding down the "Command" key and hitting the "s" on the keyboard too.
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Step 6. Adding Different Types of Graphs

(Optional, ask your teacher if you should do this step!)
  1. Now that you have made a column graph, you can make other kinds of graphs. Go back to Step 2. and select the data again. Click the "Chart Wizard" tool. The dialog box will appear again.

  2. Choose the options you want in either the "Standard types" or the "Custom types" section. There is a "Press and Hold to View Sample" button to see what it will look like. If you don't like the way it looks in the dialog box, you can choose another type.

  3. If you want to change the legends or axis scaling on any of your graphs, click on the graph to make the little black squares in the corners disappear, and then double-click on what you want to change. Usually when you do this a dialog box appears that lets you make changes. (Ask your teacher for help if you get stuck or run into trouble!) Don't forget to "Save" the page when you have what you like or need to stop for any reason. You can then open your worksheet up again and work without having to begin over again.

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