2. Excel Graph Types
There are many graphs or charts available in
spreadsheet programs such as Excel and each has it
own uses. The links below lead to information about
the different Excel graphs and their uses.
3. Bar Graphs
Bar graphs are one of the most common types of graph
used to display data. Sometimes known as "column
charts", bar graphs are most often used to show amounts
or the number of times a value occurs.
The amounts are displayed using a vertical bar or
rectangle. The taller the bar, the greater number of times
the value occurs.
Bar graphs make it easy to see the differences in the data
being compared.
4. Line Graphs
Line graphs are often used to plot changes in data over time, such as
monthly temperature changes or daily changes in stock market
prices.
They can also be used to plot data recorded from scientific
experiments, such as how a chemical reacts to changing
temperature or atmospheric pressure.
Similar to most other graphs, line graphs have a vertical axis and a
horizontal axis. If you are plotting changes in data over time, time
is plotted along the horizontal or x-axis and your other data, such
as rainfall amounts is plotted as individual points along the vertical
or y-axis.
5. Scatter Plot Graphs
Scatter plot graphs are used to show trends in data. They
are especially useful when you have a large number of data
points. Like line graphs, they can be used to plot data
recorded from scientific experiments, such as how a
chemical reacts to changing temperature or atmospheric
pressure.
6. Excel Pie Charts
Pie charts, or circle graphs as they are sometimes known,
are a little different from the other three types of graphs
discussed.
For one, pie charts do not use horizontal and vertical axes
to plot points like the others. They also differ in that they
are used to chart only one variable at a time. As a result, it
can only be used to show percentages.
The circle of pie charts represents 100%. The circle is
subdivided into slices representing data values. The size of
each slice shows what part of the 100% it represents.