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Spreadsheet data can be converted into many different ways of displaying data in charts.
But one needs to know what type of display is best suited for the underlying data.
So let's consider what type of chart might be most appropriate.

Types of charts

Charts are a useful way to illustrate data shown in worksheets. Excel has several different types of charts to select from depending on the sort of information you are using and the effect you wish to convey in the graphic.

Use a column chart or a bar chart to show comparisons

Column charts compare values across categories.

The same is true in Excel for Mac

bar charts are essentially the same thing, but oriented on the horizontal axis. Excel asserts they are the best chart type for comparing multiple values.

The same is true in Excel for Mac

Use a line chart or an area chart to show trends or change over a period of time

Line charts compare continuous data over time against a common scale and are ideal for showing trends.

The same is true in Excel for Mac

Pie charts display percentages

But column charts do the same and in a more revealing fashion. Use a pie chart to show the relationship or proportion or parts to a whole, only when you want your chart to be metaphoric.

To quote Edward Tufte in The Visual Display of Quantitative Information , p. 178

... the only worse design than a pie chart is several of them ...
Given their low data-density and failure to order numbers along a visual dimension,
pie charts should never be used.

Area charts are a variant of line charts

Area charts emphasize differences between several sets of data over a period of time.

Scatter charts

... compare pairs of values, depicting them as sets of X and Y coordinates.

Creating Charts

Start a chart by selecting the source data you want to chart. When doing so, keep the following points in mind:

• Excel will use the column and row headings as the axis titles and legend (you can select which is which)
• if your chart includes a total row, you most likely will not include this in the charted data. Just include the individual data series
• in some charts, you can chart only one series. That means you can select only one set of data to chart.

Charting Tips

One can create the chart on a new worksheet or within the current worksheet, depending on the data is to be displayed.

Change colored data series to patterns and shades of gray if you plan to use the chart in a print document.

week of 02 April labs | thinking about what kind of charts | compare value to categories | compare value percentages to categories