One of the most attractive features of the spreadsheet program Microsoft 365 is its ability to generate graphs from data. This gives us a very practical and visual way to interpret information and make decisions based on it. In this post we are going to explain How to create charts in Excel from a table and take advantage of all these benefits.
Excel offers up to ten different types of charts, in order to cover the maximum number of possibilities and use cases. Below, we will first analyze each of them and then we will explain how to generate them.
Types of Excel Charts
There is a wide range of charts that we can use in Excel. There is a suitable chart type for each type of table and each content:
- Column and bar charts, a classic typology. They can be either vertical or horizontal.
- Histograms. Similar to bar graphs, with the difference that, instead of handling values on the X axis, they represent the distribution of a frequency of several intervals.
- Line chartsThey draw a line connecting values moving along the X (horizontal) axis, with the peaks representing increases and the valleys representing decreases.
- Area charts. Similar to lines, except the lower part of the stroke is filled with color.
- Hierarchy charts, also called "rectangle graphs." They are used to contrast the volume, size or quantity of each of the variables with respect to the others.
- Waterfall charts. They are used to represent changes in quantities by adding and subtracting other quantities sequentially, either in time or in different categories.
- Pie charts or ring chartsThey are the most suitable for representing percentages and proportions.
- Scatter plots, also called "bubble charts." They have multiple points marked along the X and Y axes. These marks correspond to unique numerical values.
- Surface graphics or radial charts. These are more complex. They are used to reflect different qualities and attributes of different values in the same representation.
- Combination chartsAs its name indicates, it involves combining two or more types of graphs to establish relationships between different variables.
Create charts in Excel from a table
Let's now see how to generate graphs in Excel from the data in a table, step by step:
Step 1: Prepare the table
The first thing we need to do to ensure that the graph we want to create is correct is to make sure that the data contained in the table is well organized: Columns should have headers and data should be structured so that their subsequent representation in a graph makes sense.
Then we can Select the data you want to include in the graph, as well as deciding whether you want the table headers to appear. If you want to make a chart with only part of the table data, you will have to select the cells that contain the data or click and drag them to the relevant rows and columns.
Step 2: Generate the graph
After preparing the table and selecting the data, it is time to create the graph. To do this, we must go to the Excel ribbon and click on the tab "Insert". Doing so brings up a box with all the available chart types: column, pie, bar, etc.
To choose the one we want, we click on the type of chart that best suits our needs. With this, Excel will automatically insert the chart into the spreadsheet.
Step 3: Customize the chart
With the graph already created, we can give it the shape that we like the most or that interests us the most from the “Chart Design” tab. The options are very varied: change the title, modify colors or styles, add data labels and even change the type of graph, in case we have changed our mind.
Similarly, we will be able to edit the axes to adjust the scale or format of the numbers, as well as move, edit or delete the chart legend. In addition, all the changes we make to the table will be updated automatically.
Un trick An interesting thing when creating graphics in Excel is to let the program itself advise you. This means using the option of "Recommended Graphics" that the application suggests to us based on the structure of the data that we have entered in the table.
Conclusion
There is no discussion about the ability of graphics to represent data in an efficient way that is easier for the human brain to understand. As an added advantage, it should be mentioned that it is also a good tool for sharing ideas with other people, better understanding the information and making decisions based on the information transmitted.
The nature and quantity of the data, as well as our own preferences, will determine which type of Excel chart we should use.