The Microsoft Excel tool is one of the main ones to carry out calculation tasks such as a company budget . However, its application is not only limited to performing calculations , but you will also be able to obtain graphs that will make your data interpretation work easier.
So in this post we will show you how to make graphs in Excel from a table with several data. Go ahead and learn how to do it.
How to make graphs in EXCEL from a table with several data? – Steps to follow
Index( )
- What types of charts can be made in Excel?
- Pie chart
- bar chart
- Comparative graph
- linear graph
- Graph with variables
- donut chart
- How to create a chart in Excel with one or more variables from a PC?
- on Windows
- on macOS
- from the website
- How to make a chart with Excel from a mobile device?
- Android
- iOS
- Windows Mobile
- How do you add a text box to a chart?
What types of charts can be made in Excel?
Excel puts at your disposal different types of graphs so that you can use the one that you like the most or that adapts to the nature of the topic that you are analyzing. Before starting the process to obtain the graph, you must have the data organized in the table.
Pie chart
It is one of the most common graphs that you will find in Excel, its shape, as its name indicates, is a cake where the portions represent a data with the corresponding quantity and percentage. To obtain this graph follow the steps below:
- Choose the ranges of data from the table that you want to graph.
- Navigate to the tools tab and click on “Insert”.
- Choose the type of graph “Pie or donuts”,take the first of the options “Pie 2D”.
As you may have noticed, the circular or pie graph will be displayed with the portions of the pie representing the amount that corresponds according to the data you have selected. Here you must take into account that if you put the header data, it will appear in your graph .
bar chart
This type of graph shows the data outlined in the tables as bars identified with series names and amounts that correspond to them, typically you will see each horizontal bar in different colors for each item in your table. The steps to obtain this type of graph are basically the same as the previous graph.
- Select the data from the table that you want to graph.
- Navigate to the toolbar and choose “Insert.”
- Search as type of graph to choose the “Bar graph”, and take the model that you like the most.
Comparative graph
This type of graph is very useful for making comparisons between the values of variables that have changed over time, for example, a classic application is the sales of a company in consecutive years. In the comparative graphs, we recommend using column-type graphs, since it allows you to better present the comparison between the data you handle.
Remember that you have to navigate in the toolbar and choose “Insert” , then go to the type of chart and select “Column chart”. At this point you have two options to finish your work.
The first is to choose the “Products” data and press “Ctrl” you keep it pressed and with the mouse select “Total Cost” for example, or “Quantity”, depending on the value you want to graph.
You will see that when selecting the column graph it will be displayed only with the values for a table, then you must right-click on the graph and choose “Select data” , a pop-up window will appear where we select “Add”.
In the field corresponding to the name of the series you must choose the range of “products” and in the field of series values choose the range of “Total Cost”, both ranges of the table that has not been worked on . Click on accept and you will have your graph ready.
linear graph
This type of graph is formed with continuous or segmented lines that show the evolution of one or more variables over time. You can give it many applications in various fields of study, from moving average lines in scientific studies, to other representations in economics, finance and other fields.
The procedure to insert this graph is the same as before, you only have to select “Line Graph” when choosing its nature.
Graph with variables
The comparison chart is a type of chart with variables, and why? Simple, you are handling more than one variable in the same graph , so you can already see that these are resources that allow you to analyze two or more variables at the same time. To implement this class of resource you must follow the steps mentioned in the comparative graph.
donut chart
The representation of this resource is done through rings instead of slices like a cake, this type of resource allows you to obtain segments of the ring that represent the change of a variable over time, in addition, like other graphs with this one you will be able to represent several variables in the same space, resulting in several circumscribed rings. Follow the same steps as the chart types above and choose “Doughnut Chart” to get your resource.
How to create a chart in Excel with one or more variables from a PC?
It is generally more comfortable to work with programs such as Microsoft Excel on PCs, Laptops or equipment of a similar nature. However, depending on the OS (Operating System) you have installed on your computer, the process will be a little different. There are even those who prefer to collaborate online, for which it will be very useful to work with Google Office, specifically Google Sheets or Excel spreadsheet online.
If you don’t know this tool, you can see the characteristics, similarities and differences of Google Office with respect to Microsoft Office , in this way you will determine if it will be useful to you at some point for your activities. Now, taking into account the type of OS or if you will work online, let’s see the differences that you must take into account to obtain your graph in Excel.
on Windows
It is one of the most used OS worldwide, which is why it is very useful to know how to make your chart in Excel, to do this follow these steps:
- Open the Microsoft Excel application.
- Create your table with the data you want to process and obtain your graph.
- Select the data you want to graph.
- Navigate to the toolbar and click on the “Insert” button.
- Choose the type of graph you want to obtain (Linear, bars, pie, columns, rings, among others).
on macOS
MacOS is another of the most used OS worldwide. Basically the steps to obtain a graphic in this operating system are the same steps that are carried out to obtain your graphic in Windows. That is to say, the key is in the management of the previous table with the data that you have to manage, taking into account that said data must be well organized. The rest of the process is the same as in the previous section .
from the website
To get your graph in Excel or Google Sheets from the Web, you need to enter the document, whether it has been shared with you, or you are the owner of it. In any case, it is a document that you must handle from Google drive , and once you have defined the data from the table that is the starting point, you can perform the following steps:
- Select the data previously organized in the table that you want to graph.
- Navigate to the top menu and click on “Insert”.
- Choose from the drop-down menu the option “Graphic” or “Chart” depending on the language configuration of your drive.
By doing the above steps you will get your graph, however, by default you will get a column graph. If you want to change the type of chart, you must navigate to the “Chart editor” or “Chart Editor” menu and click on the “Setup” option. You will see that you will have the option “Chart Type” or “Type of graph” where you can choose the type you want.
How to make a chart with Excel from a mobile device?
Making graphs in Excel from mobile devices is possible, although the process is more complex than doing it on a PC. To do this, of course, you must have the corresponding app according to the mobile OS that you have available. Here’s how to do it on the most popular ones.
Android
It is undoubtedly one of the most used mobile OS by users, in this case to obtain your Excel graph , in principle you must have the app installed. If you don’t have it, proceed to download the Excel app: view, edit and create spreadsheets from the Play Store .
- Open the Excel app on your Android.
- Choose the file where you want to graph the data.
- Select the data ranges in the table that you want to process.
- Navigate to the toolbar and click on “Insert”.
- You will see a submenu where you should choose “Chart”.
- Click on the type of graph you want to display and that’s it.
iOS
- Open the workbook where you want to run the chart.
- Select using the corresponding controller button the ranges of data that you are going to graph.
- Click on the edit button and navigate to the toolbar to click on “Insert”.
- Look for the “Chart” option, then click on “Chart type” and that’s it.
Windows Mobile
- Identify and open the file you are going to work with to obtain your graph.
- Choose the data ranges to plot using the corresponding selection controller button.
- On your Smartphone press the plus button (…) and then select “Home” to navigate to “Insert”.
- Select the “Chart” button in the displayed submenu.
- Choose the type of chart you want to display in your spreadsheet and you’re done.
How do you add a text box to a chart?
Sometimes it is important to show complementary information as text in the graphs in order to facilitate interpretation for the reader. That is why we show you below the process to insert text boxes in Excel charts.
- Once you have obtained the graph you are working on, select the “Insert” option in the upper navigation menu.
- Click on “Text Box”.
- Select the area of the graphic where you want the text message you are placing to appear.
- Write your message and once you finish press the “Enter” key on the keyboard or press outside the text box.
In conclusion , charts are very powerful and useful resources that can be used in Excel spreadsheets in any of its versions and for any device or OS. We hope this information has been helpful to you and we invite you to continue visiting our tutorials and posts.
