Creating Great Graph Templates in Excel

Microsoft Excel is an integral part of every office environment. Almost everyone uses it on a regular basis. However, not many know all of the tricks to taking your spreadsheets from dull and average to Super and Exciting. I am going to show you a few of the tricks on how to save time and make your spreadsheets more functional and more fun

Creating a stand out Table

The first step to making a very nice auto updating Chart is to have a nice table that is very easy to add data into. I suggest using colors and lines to set apart the headers from the areas where data is to be entered. Click on the link below to see an example. If you need help creating this kind of table, see my previous entry "Microsoft Excel Timesaving Tips and Tricks".

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Enter Data

Next enter some bogus data just for the purpose of creating the charts. If you have real data by all means use it. But if you don't have the data, then make it up and type it in.

After you have the data entered into the blank cells, choose the data range by highlighting all of the data including the headers and row names. Now click on the chart wizard button to start the process. Click on the link below to see an example of this.

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Creating the Chart

After clicking on the chart wizard you should have a pop up screen that will guide you through the process that looks like the picture in the link below.

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When the wizard pops up make sure that the Bar chart is Highlighted (or whichever you choose to use) and click Next. Then the next page will come up and show you a small example of what the chart will look like. You have 2 choices on this page, to show the chart by columns or by rows. The default is usually best but choose what you think works for you. Click next when you are done. (Click on the link below for an example of this page.)

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When the next page comes up you are given the chance to change details about the chart including name of the chart and whether you want the data displayed on the bars, etc. Click on the link below to see an example.

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