KB127: How to Create a Chart in Excel using the Chart Wizard

 

1. Open an Excel worksheet that has rows and columns of data. Add row and column labels if needed.  
2. Select the cell range containing the data to be charted. If you select headings with the data Excel will add the names to the chart automatically.
3. Create the chart by clicking the Chart Wizard button on the standard toolbar.
4.
  • The Chart Wizard starts at Step 1 by asking what type of chart to make (see screen shot ).
     
  • Select a chart type and sub-type that works best for your data and click the Next button.
     
  • At Step 2 of the Chart Wizard, observe if chart is displaying the data correctly. If not use the option buttons and list boxes at this step to adjust the chart data. If the chart appears OK, click the Next button.
5.
  • At Step 3 of the Chart Wizard is where the chart's titles, legend, and data labels are controlled.
  • Starting from the Titles tab, change the chart title if desired.

Note: It is sometimes a better choice to use labels instead of the legend if the chart is to be printed or photocopied, as distinctions in grayscale are hard to decipher.

  • Click the Legend tab and clear the "Show Legend" checkbox.
  • Click the Data Labels tab and select both Category Name and Value for labels.
  • If using a Pie Chart, clear the Show Leader Lines  option because the pie sections are few and the labels should be clear without leader lines.
  • Click the Next button to continue.

 
6. At Step 4 the Chart Wizard asks where to store the chart. You can either place it in its own worksheet within the workbook, or place it as an object on an existing worksheet. Click Finish. Excel completes the chart and displays it along with the Charting Toolbar (see below). Save your workbook.


 

 

More information on using Excel can be found in the Help menu in Excel and at Microsoft's web site:

http://office.microsoft.com/

Check out MCC-LENS for training opportunities at:

https://www.middlesex.mass.edu/ProfessionalDevelopment

 

Author/Source: Ellen Ricca
Date Reviewed: 4/16/2003