How to create a graph using MS Excel 2003
Step 1 How to access MS Excel.
Log on to your computer and pull up your Excel worksheet. You should be able to
locate the program by using your “Start” button
. Next select All
Programs
. Choose the Microsoft Office folder and select Excel. If
you cannot find it there, use your “Search” or “Find” function.
The Excel work sheet looks like this:
figure 1
Step 2 Entering data into the spreadsheet.
Each of the squares in the file represents a cell. Every cell has an individual row
number and column letter.
Arrange desired data in columns or rows. You only need to enter the numbers at this
time.
In this case the “A” column will be the “X” axis, and the “B” column will be the “Y”
axis. In order to make a graph, simple numbers have been entered into the
spreadsheet. The graph will work with any numerical values used. After the data has
been entered your spreadsheet should look like the one in figure 2.
figure 2
Step 3 Steps to take after inputting the data.
Highlight the cells containing desired data. To select separated data, highlight the
first piece. Then hold “Ctrl” while clicking on the remaining data.
Place the mouse on cell A1 and drag cursor over the filled cells and highlight them
as shown in the next figure.
figure 3
Step 4 Creating the graph
Select "Chart" from the "Insert" menu or click on the “Chart Wizard” icon on the
toolbar.
Click here
to make a
graph
figure 4
After opening the tab highlight and click on the “Chart…” button. A window such as
the one above should open up immediately after the previous step.
Step 5
Choose your chart type. Click “Next”. Confirm the data range mentally and select if
you want your series in rows or columns. Select “Next”.
Click here after
opening this
window
Click on this box to
make the graph
connected by a line.
figure 5
Step 6
Enter titles for your chart and axis. Choose the location of your chart. Select “Finish”.
Once the “XY (scatter)” and the “scattered data points connected by smooth line”
buttons have been clicked select the “Next” button, a window like figure 6 will
appear.
The figure below, figure 6 is a preview of the graph as it will appear when finalized.
The program will ask if the data was entered in rows or columns. This exercise was
done using columns so that will be the correct choice. If the user enters the data in
two rows instead of two columns the “Rows” button would be pressed instead. After
selecting columns click “Next”.
figure 6
Step 7
The next step is to name the graph and the axis. In this case the graph name is
“example” and the x axis simply as X and the y axis as Y^2. This is how the values
are obtained for the cells.
figure 7
Step 8
Finally click finish and the graph will be placed next to your data in the spreadsheet.
(If graph is not in the desired position you may click and drag it as you would any other image.)
Click and drag here
to move graph to
any position.
Click and drag on
this corner to
decrease or enlarge
graph.
figure 8