As compiled by Andy Jones, CAI
Coordinator
English
Department, U.C. Davis
The following URLs refer users to guides to using Chart Wizard, a Microsoft program used with Excel or Access to create charts, graphs, and vectors. I first compiled this information for Eric Schroeder's Technical Writing students in 1999.
The best guide to Chart Wizard comes from Brown University. Find it at http://www.brown.edu/Facilities/CIS/Doc/qs09-excel-charts/qs09-excel-charts.html
You might also consider the pointers offered by the following academic URLs.
The following instructions come from http://help.brynmawr.edu/Documentation/CrossPlatform/Excel98.html
How do I create a Graph in Excel?
Another common purpose for spreadsheet programs is to graph the resulting data. Chart Wizard, a built-in function of Excel, allows you to quickly graph or plot your data in a variety of formats.
* Highlight the cells that contain data that you wish to graph. Click the Chart Wizard button, located on the toolbar.
* A dialog box will appear, asking select a graph type. Your options will include bar, line, column, and pie graphs, amongst others. Click Next to proceed.
* Confirm the range of data to be used in the graph and click Next.
* Chart Wizard will preview your graph in this window. Enter additional elements, such as a graph title, legend, data labels, etc.. Click Next to proceed.
* Finally, select where you would like the new graph to appear and click the button marked Finish. Your graph will be displayed.
The following comes from http://www.brocku.ca/compservices/us/docs/pc/microsoft/excel_tips.html
Creating A Graph
There are numerous types of graphs available in Excel, including both 2-D and 3-D designs.
As a default, if you are going to have an "X-axis" and "Y-axis", the Y-axis data should be in the left-most column of data.
When you are ready to create your graph, there are two ways that you can do this. One is to use the icon on the toolbar, and the other is to use the menu bar. However, both will launch you into the Chart Wizard.
From the menu bar, click on INSERT and then select CHART from the drop-down menu. Your next option, in this case, will be to either create the chart ON THIS SHEET or ON A NEW SHEET. Make you choice accordingly. Or, simply clicking on the will do.
Doing either will give you a new pointer. It looks like a little crossbar with a tiny chart attached to it. With this, you draw the outline of where you want your chart to go and its size. Once you do that, the Chart Wizard will take over.
The first question pertains to the range of data to be charted. Excel may supply you with a range already. If that is not correct, simply type in the cell references for what you want charted. For example:
* To chart one column, B2 down to B10, you would enter the range as b2..b10.
* To chart three consecutive, equally long columns, (B, C and D) from cells 4 down to 15 in EACH column you would enter the range b4..d15.
* To chart three non-consecutive, not necessarily the same length columns (B1 to B9, D1 to D9 and H6 to H22), you would enter each range, separated by a comma: b1..b9, d1..d9, h6..h22.
Once you have entered the range, click on the NEXT> button.
Now, you need to select the chart type. Excel presents you with a dozen or so options. Simply click on the one you want and then select NEXT> button.
Now, depending on the type of chart you choose, you get to select the format of that chart. Pick a format and then select the NEXT> button.
The next screen will be a sample chart. It provides you with a miniature version of what your graph will look like so you may do some editing, if needed. The Data Series In: option allows you to tell Excel how your data is entered. The default is the data is set in columns. However, you may switch this to rows if you wish.
The next screen contains a few more customizing options. It allows you to:
* Add a Legend: You can turn the legend on or off. The legend must be the first row of data.
* Chart Title: You can type in the name of your chart.
* Axis Titles: Allows you to label your X and Y axis.
This is the last step. Clicking on FINISH will return you to your spreadsheet and the graph will have drawn itself on the screen.
If you want to edit your graph and do such things as draw lines, change fonts, etc, DOUBLE CLICK on the graph. Then, by RIGHT CLICKING on a part of the chart, you will have the ability to edit such things as the title, axis, gridlines, labels, plotting area and chart group.
The following long handout comes from http://teachers.net/lessons/posts/947.html
#947. Using Chart Wizard in MS-Excel
Computer, level: other
Posted Mon Apr 5 16:37:08 PDT 1999 by Loretta Koennicke (lgk2@psu.edu).
Pennsylvania State University, State College, PA - USA
Materials Required: Computers with MS-Excel loaded and are connected to the Internet.
Activity Time: Approximately 1 hour.
Concepts Taught: Line graphs, pie charts
Prerequisite Skills: The students have the following prerequisite skills:
? Given an URL locate a web site
? Cut and paste data from the Internet into a worksheet
? Format data in a worksheet
Have the students work in pairs Tell them that they will need to develop at least one line graph and a pie chart, which they will need to present to the other class members. Inform the students they will be assess on how clearly their graphs/charts display the information to their audience. They can decide what type of weather data they would like to display (i.e. snowfall, rainfall, etc.). The students are to follow along with the demonstration of how to create and modify line graphs and pie charts and then they will be given time to collaborate and produce their presentation.
Students will follow along through the demonstration on their workstations.
Steps for creating a line graph:
1. Go to the World Climate web site at http://www.worldclimate.com.
2. Locate the average temperature data (broken out by months) for the town you live in (e.g., Harrisburg, PA) and another town somewhere in the world (instructor should assign the area for the demonstration only - i.e., Seattle, WA). Ask them what type of statistical data did the average temperature data represent? How is the information display at this web sites?
3. Cut and paste the data into a worksheet. (They should have 12 columns with headings for each month of the year and two rows one labeled Harrisburg, PA and the other labeled Seattle, WA. Example:
4. Start chart wizard by clicking the chart wizard button located on the toolbar.
5. Select the line graph, click on the press and view button to preview graph.
6. Enter title (temperature comparison), x-axis months, and y-axis (average temperature) headers.
7. Chart location select new sheet.
8. Editing text, using your mouse right click on the text you want to edit. Then select font, font size, and color (just like you would on a worksheet) for your graph.
9. Editing gridlines, using your mouse right click on the gridlines. Then select whether you want major, minor or no gridlines.
10. Editing background, using your mouse right click on the background. Then select the color and texture of the background for the graph, then the x-axis and y-axis thickness and color.
11. Changing the color of the lines, using your mouse right click on the line you want to change. Then select the color you want the line to be by clicking on the color palette.
12. Moving legend, using your mouse right click on the legend then select the location you want the legend to appear on the page.
After the student have created the line graph, ask them how to compare the data in the table versus the line graph? Which one is it easier to describe the average temperature differences.
Once again, have the students follow along through the demonstration on their workstations.
Steps for creating a pie chart:
1. Start chart wizard by clicking the chart wizard button located on the toolbar.
2. Select the pie chart, click on the press and view button to preview graph.
3. Select only one row of data along with the column headings this can be done by the mouse. Bring attention to the fact that they are only using one row and ask the students why?
4. Enter title and labels for pie chart.
5. Chart location select new sheet.
6. Editing text, using your mouse right click on the text you want to edit. Then select font, font size, and color (just like you would on a worksheet) for your graph.
7. Changing the color of the pie pieces, using your mouse right click on the line you want to change. Then select the color you want the line to be by clicking on the color palette.
8. Moving legend, using your mouse right click on the legend then select the location you want the legend to appear on the page.
After the demonstrations ask them how pie charts and line graphs show data differently and when would they use pie charts versus line graphs.
Assessment will be based on their presentation of their line graphs and pie charts to the class.