Charts and graphs are a great way of representing your data. Google Sheets offers almost every chart
type and makes it easier to draw them so that your data can quickly understood in a graphical format. In
this post you will learn what each chart and graph represents and the additional functionality that you
might not have heard about.
HOW TO DRAW CHARTS IN GOOGLE SHEETS
First create a new google sheet by pressing this button
in the bottom right hand corner of Google
sheets. Make sure that there is some data in your Google Sheets sheet and that your Google Sheets sheet
does not contain any blank cells between the different columns, select the data you want to graph then
click the insert chart button
and choose the chart type that you wish to draw.
The data in your Google Sheets sheet will be organized as a chart.
Once the chart is drawn, it becomes very easy to change the attributes, click the quick edit button and
you will see the options for changing chart types, data, and other formatting.
For more advanced changes click on the chart then click the advanced editing button.
CHART AND GRAPHS TYPES IN GOOGLE SHEETS
The chart or graph type will depend on the data for which you are going to plot the chart. The most
commonly used types include Column Chart, Line Graphs, Pie Chart, Bar Graph, Area Chart, Scatter
Graphs, Stock Chart, and Surface Chart, among many others. Lets discuss these chart types, and the
situations in which a specific chart type is used.
COLUMN CHART
The Column chart is one of the most commonly used chart type and is used to show the changes in data
over a period of time or illustrate comparisons among items.
LINE GRAPHS
Line Graphs are mainly used to plot changes in data over time. The best example of this chart type can be
the weekly change in temperature.
PIE CHART
The Pie Chart is very useful when you wish to emphasize on a significant element in the data. It
represents data in the form of a pie.
BAR GRAPH
A bar graph illustrates comparisons among individual items.
SCATTER PLOTS
The purpose of a scatter plot is to show the type of relationship, or correlation, that exists between two sets of data. For
instance, a positive correlation means that as the value of one set of data increases, the other data will also increase
TREND LINES
If you have been caught up in the maze of numbers and values all day long in Google Sheets , then it
would be fascinating to create scatter graph for your datasheet. With Scatter graph & Trendlines you
will be able to grasp the trend of your data. With this data visualization tool you can help your audience to
understand the crux of the datasheet by visually conveying them what data actually means, and most
importantly help them to comprehend the trend of your datasheet values. This post will put some light on
it.
To create a trend line click on the advanced editing button. Click the customize tab and scroll to the
bottom and select a trend line if is necessary to add clarity to your data.
Watch the link below NOW for more Google Sheets information:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=st7DFULsP0M
Note:
*** When selecting data the left column becomes the Y axis values and the right column
becomes the X axis values***
Put your new knowledge into practice….
Enter the data below into google sheets and try to recreate the graph below.
Quick review of graphing in google sheets:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PZzlTehFBNA
Make the graph below: Show your teacher when you have completed your graph.
Using Google Sheets to Make Professional Tables and Graphs
Directions for Part I:
Review the following tutorials for Google Sheets If you need more help with this assignment:
Google Sheets - Tutorial 01 - Creating and Basic Formatting
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QTgvX5MLPC8
Google Sheets - Tutorial 02 - Insert a Chart or Image
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nb9DHiv6jV4
Google Sheets - Tutorial 03 - Template Gallery and Table Styles
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Oxce7D7hf_M
Directions for Part II:
Once you have reviewed these tutorials it is time for you to apply what you have learned. The data you will be graphing
for this exercise is the USGS gauging station data for the Snoqualmie (near Snoqualmie Falls) during the dates of January
7 through January 11, 2009.
To access the real-time stream-flow data collected at this site go to the following address
(NOTE: I have also provided this data for you on the next page):
http://green.kingcounty.gov/rivergagedata/gage-data.aspx?r=snoqualmie
On the watershed map click on the Snoqualmie gauging station near Snoqualmie Falls.
For the dates of January 7 through January 11, 2009 the following flow data and gauge height data was collected every 6
hours at this gauging station.
Flood Stage.--The National Weather Service Flood Stage for this station is 20,000 cfs. King
County has Flood Phase Information for this gage.
Additional Google Sheets help:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hMvKnkEKLTg
Station #
Date
Time Gauge Height (ft) Flow (CFS)
USGS
12144500
2009-01-07 00:00
10.44
11200
USGS
12144500
2009-01-07 06:00
14.99
27800
USGS
12144500
2009-01-07 12:00
19.15
49000
USGS
12144500
2009-01-07 18:00
20.48
57200
USGS
12144500
2009-01-08 00:00
20.67
58500
USGS
12144500
2009-01-08 06:00
20.15
55100
USGS
12144500
2009-01-08-12:00
19.01
48100
USGS
12144500
2009-01-08-18:00
16.48
34600
USGS
12144500
2009-01-09-00:00
14.2
24600
USGS
12144500
2009-01-09-06:00
12.44
17600
USGS
12144500
2009-01-09-12:00
11.38
14000
USGS
12144500
2009-01-09 18:00
10.41
11100
USGS
12144500
2009-01-10 00:00
9.71
9330
USGS
12144500
2009-01-10 06:00
9.19
8100
USGS
12144500
2009-01-10 12:00
8.74
7110
USGS
12144500
2009-01-10 18:00
8.44
6490
USGS
12144500
2009-01-11 00:00
8.63
6870
USGS
12144500
2009-01-11 06:00
8.78
7190
USGS
12144500
2009-01-11 12:00
8.62
6850
USGS
12144500
2009-01-11 18:00
8.67
6950
Name:
Period:
Step 2.A
Make a perfect line graph!!
Using Google Sheets construct a table of the data provided above. To help you do this you may want to go through the
steps shown in the tutorial you just viewed. You will need to reenter the values on this table into your data table. Your
new table should show 3 data columns: date, time and average flow (measured in CFS-cubic feet per second).
Rubric
Table
__/ 2
Table pasted into a Word document.
__/2
Name of student and class period typed into document.
__/5
Data table complete for 4 days of data collected (all data entered).
__/3
Proper headings for each column of data.
__/ 2
Data table titles table 1
Graph
__/4
Appropriate title
__/3
Graph set up with date/time on X axis and CFS on Y axis.
__/2
X axis properly labeled with proper units
__/2
Y axis properly labeled with correct units
___/3 Hand draw flood stage labeled on graph
___/28