How to Create Excel Charts and Graphs

I still retrieve being ace intimidated erstwhile asked to create a chart successful Excel for a client‘s monthly report. It was my first time astatine work.

I didn’t want to inquire anyone for help, but I wanted to do a awesome job. So, I cautiously (and discreetly) followed nan steps from different sources connected really to create a chart successful Excel.

Since then, I’ve experimented a zillion times and crafted different variations of graphs and charts successful Excel that look ace polished.

My takeaway? Having a defined process ever helps. So, I now person a go-to, step-by-step process I committedness by erstwhile creating Excel charts and graphs.

So you person 1 too, I’ve compiled a detailed, actionable guideline to thief you visualize information successful Excel for illustration a pro. Follow it, and creating graphs and charts successful Excel will go your 2nd nature.

Table of Contents

• What is an Excel floor plan aliases graph?
• How to Create a Graph successful Excel
• Visualize Data Like a Pro: How to Experiment With Chart Types
• The 18 Types of Charts successful Excel

But why visualize successful Excel erstwhile you tin simply explicate nan numbers? This was my first thought erstwhile I was asked to create nan graph.

I’ve learned that adding Excel charts helps nan assemblage understand and clasp nan applicable findings overmuch better.

Presenting information arsenic a chart makes accusation visually digestible and helps pass intelligibly and efficiently, particularly for ample information sets.

(I’ve seen this firsthand a 1000 times erstwhile looking astatine information from devices for illustration SEMrush, Ahrefs, and more.)

Moreover, erstwhile nan information has much than 1 uncovering to pass — specified arsenic a comparison aliases changes taking spot complete clip — Excel charts and graphs connection respective options for creating impactful visuals.

Creating a chart successful Excel is simple. Follow my step-by-step process aliases download nan PDF instructions below:

• Download Demo Data
• Download Instructions (Mac)
• Download Instructions (PC)

Most of nan buttons and functions you'll spot and publication are very akin crossed each versions of Excel. Don’t want to commencement from scratch and for illustration thing quicker to hole instead? You tin leverage Excel Graph Generators.

Just plug successful your data, tweak nan design, and you’ll get a professional-looking chart pinch minimal effort. I committedness by this erstwhile clip is tight. But I spell done nan full process erstwhile I want aliases request thing afloat customized.

Let maine locomotion you done my steps.

1. Enter your information into Excel.

So, I commencement by plugging successful my data, which I shape into columns and rows. This is basic, but it's each you request to start.

Whether you’re importing information from a study tool, downloading it from your marketing platform, aliases simply typing it successful manually, measurement 1 is organize.

Let maine show you a speedy illustration of really I shape my data.

Let’s opportunity we’re visualizing trading ROI.

As you tin spot successful nan spreadsheet above, I’ve organized it arsenic follows:

• Column A lists responses to nan question, “Did inbound trading show ROI?” aliases “Could not aliases did not cipher ROI?”
• Columns B and C database responses detailing whether aliases not nan institution had a general sales-marketing agreement.

So, arsenic per my information arrangement, Column B, Row 2 illustrates that 49% of group pinch a service level statement (SLA) besides opportunity that inbound trading demonstrated ROI.

2. Choose your chart aliases floor plan type.

Once my information is successful and organized, I take my preferred chart style. Excel offers galore options, including barroom charts, statement graphs, pastry charts, scatter plots, and more.

I take nan type that champion tells my story. For example, erstwhile comparing things, I spell for barroom graphs. When emphasizing percentages aliases scatter land for trends, I thin to usage pastry charts.

There’s nary difficult and accelerated norm here. I’d say, see your assemblage and whether you want to support it elemental aliases adhd a imaginative flair. (More connected this below.)

3. Highlight information and insert your graph.

Once I’ve organized my information and decided connected my floor plan type, I item nan cells I want to visualize (including nan headers). Next, I click connected nan Insert tab and prime nan floor plan type I’ve decided connected successful nan erstwhile step.

I’ve chosen a clean, two-dimensional file floor plan present because level bars look crisp and professional. See below:

But hey, this isn’t ever group successful stone. I besides sometimes customize based connected nan audience.

For example, I erstwhile utilized a three-dimensional floor plan to mimic skyscrapers erstwhile creating charts for a building client. This made nan information visually applicable and memorable, and they loved it.

Case successful point: Small tweaks spell a agelong way.

4. Switch your axes if needed.

Sometimes, aft inserting my graph, I consciousness nan X and Y axes whitethorn request to beryllium swapped for clarity. When this happens, I right-click connected nan graph, prime Select Data, and deed nan Switch Row/Column button.

Let maine explicate this much by revisiting nan SLA information example.

So, nan first predisposition worked awesome for wide audiences. However, if my position was each astir SLAs and I were to coming it to a room afloat of executives focused connected deciding whether aliases not to unafraid one, I’d for illustration to flip.

I’d spell for nan 2nd XY predisposition to create thing for illustration nan 1 below.

Do you now spot nan quality successful clarity pinch this 1 elemental change?

5. Customize colors and layout.

This is 1 of my favourite parts, wherever I tin fto my productivity loose and prime and take betwixt colors and layout. And spot me, these specifications matter.

I usually usage softer tones for soul presentations and bold, branded colors for outer audiences. I besides spell nan other mile for cardinal clients and customize nan barroom colors to lucifer their marque palette, instantly making nan floor plan much professional.

I’ve seen this make a lasting impression.

To customize, I click connected nan floor plan and research nan Chart Design tab to set layouts, colors, and fable placement.

When I want to format nan fable further, I click connected it and hover complete nan Format Legend Entry sidebar, arsenic shown below.

Here, I alteration nan capable colour of nan fable to alteration nan colour of nan columns arsenic I want it. Sometimes, I besides format different parts of my chart. For that, I click connected them individually to uncover a corresponding Format window.

6. Adjust explanation sizes.

Small labels tin ruin a awesome graph. I ever cheque and bump nan font size for axis and fable labels whenever needed. This ensures they’re ever legible, particularly while presenting them.

To do this, I click connected nan label, spell to nan Home tab, and set nan font size. This is simply a elemental step, but again, it makes a large difference. See below:

7. Refine Y-axis measurements.

I’ve often encountered situations wherever Excel’s default Y-axis doesn’t trim it, and interpreting nan information becomes complex.

In those situations, I customize my Y-axis measurements. To do this, I click connected nan Y-axis percentages successful my chart, which reveals nan Format Axis window.

Here, I determine whether to show units connected nan Axis Options tab and whether to show percentages to 2 aliases nary decimal places connected my Y-axis.

As you tin see, my chart automatically sets nan Y axis' maximum percent to 60%. When I want to alteration it manually to 100% to correspond information connected a cosmopolitan scale, I prime nan Maximum action (this is 2 fields down nether Bounds successful nan Format Axis window).

Here, I’ve changed nan worth from 0.6 to one. This gives a resulting chart for illustration nan 1 below:

PS: In this example, I’ve besides accrued nan font size of nan Y-axis via nan Home tab truthful that you tin spot nan difference.

8. Reorder your data.

Sometimes, I consciousness it whitethorn beryllium amended if my information appears successful reverse order.

When I want to benignant it that way, I right-click connected nan chart and click Select Data to uncover nan aforesaid options model arsenic successful Step 3 above. To reorder, I take nan arrow up aliases down to reverse nan bid of my information connected nan chart.

Re-arranging successful ascending aliases descending bid is imaginable moreover erstwhile location are much than 2 lines of information to adjust. When I want to do this, I item each of my information successful nan cells supra my chart, click Data, and prime Sort, arsenic shown below.

Depending connected my preference, I take to benignant based connected nan smallest to largest aliases vice versa. The resulting chart looks thing for illustration nan 1 below.

It's tremendously better, right? As you tin see, this type reflects nan progression of results and is overmuch much visually persuasive.

9. Add a compelling title.

The title is your graph’s header — and I powerfully consciousness you’ve sewage to make it count. To adhd a title, I click connected nan default Chart Title to uncover a typing cursor. Then, I switch it pinch thing circumstantial and engaging.

Once I’ve filled successful what I like, I click Home connected nan apical navigation barroom and usage nan font formatting options to springiness my title nan accent it deserves.

See these options and my last chart below:

10. Export your chart for illustration a pro.

Voila! We’re astir done and person an astonishing graph.

My adjacent step? I decidedly won’t screenshot it. Instead, I’ll right-click connected nan floor plan and prime Save arsenic Picture. This will springiness maine a clean, high-quality image that I tin now usage for presentations, Canva graphics, and societal media posts.

As shown successful nan image below, a speech container will look to adhd nan record name, location, and type while saving. I’ve saved this illustration arsenic a JPEG successful my desktop folder.

So acold truthful good? Once I’ve sewage immoderate floor plan ready, I often play astir a spot more. I research pinch different types to coming my communicative successful nan best-suited manner. Let maine return you done really I do that.

Visualize Data Like a Pro: How to Experiment With Chart Types

My favourite portion of moving pinch Excel information is deciding really to coming it visually.

Sometimes, I commencement retired reasoning a barroom chart will do nan trick. However, aft experimenting, I recognize a pastry floor plan aliases statement chart would show nan communicative better, truthful I switch it.

PS: Every clip I do this, I’m reminded really overmuch nan correct chart tin elevate nan presentation.

Swapping floor plan types successful Excel is simple. Here’s precisely really I attack it.

Step 1: Select nan chart.

First, I click connected a blank area of my floor plan to prime it. Once I spot nan separator ray up astir nan chart, I cognize it’s fresh for edits. This ensures that immoderate changes I make use to nan full graph, not conscionable a circumstantial explanation aliases axis.

Step 2: Open nan floor plan creation tab.

Next, I caput to nan ribbon and click nan Chart Design tab. Sometimes, I return nan faster way and conscionable right-click connected nan floor plan to propulsion up nan aforesaid options. It’s a small instrumentality I’ve picked up to prevention time, and it useful each time.

Step 3: Change nan floor plan type.

Here’s wherever things commencement to get fun.

I click Change Chart Type, and Excel shows maine each my options connected nan left-hand side. Bar charts, pastry charts, scatter land — you sanction it, and it’s there. On nan right, a useful preview lets maine spot really each floor plan type would look pinch my data.

In this step, I deliberation astir nan communicative I’m trying to show and make my choice. For example, if I want to stress proportions, I whitethorn usage a pastry chart. If I want to show trends complete time, I whitethorn usage a statement graph.

Step 4: Shop for nan champion fit.

This portion feels for illustration model shopping (I’ll admit, I’ve spent much clip present than I attraction to admit.) I scroll done nan Recommended Charts and All Charts tabs, clicking done options and seeing really my information transforms.

Once I find a floor plan type that useful — thing clean, clear, and aligned pinch my audience’s needs — I deed OK. Watching nan chart alteration instantly is ever satisfying and often sparks caller ideas for presenting my insights!

As I person shared my steps pinch you, I'm judge you mightiness person wondered astatine immoderate constituent what factors should spell into choosing nan due floor plan aliases chart for your project.

So, let’s chat charts now and springiness you ideas astir which charts could thief you show nan stories successful your data.

The 18 Types of Charts successful Excel

Understanding nan uses of different floor plan types successful Excel tin put you astatine an separator successful optimizing really you coming information. This tin beryllium highly valuable and insightful for your team’s projects.

In nan pursuing section, I’ll stock my favourite tried-and-tested options. Then, astatine nan end, I’ll besides concisely summarize nan precocious floor plan types and those that I consciousness whitethorn not beryllium arsenic useful to marketers from my experience.

Excel Charts Most Useful to Marketers

1. Area Chart

Excel area charts let you to spot trends complete clip aliases different applicable variables. They’re fundamentally a statement chart pinch colored-in sections emphasizing progression and giving a consciousness of volume.

Then, location are stacked area charts. These denser area charts let you to show much accusation astatine once, specified arsenic comparing trends successful aggregate categories aliases search changes crossed different variables.

Best for: Demonstrating nan magnitude of a inclination betwixt 2 aliases much values complete a fixed period.

2. Clustered Bar Graph

An Excel barroom chart represents accusation horizontally and compares different information series. It allows you to easy spot nan proportions betwixt various categories aliases elements of your data.

For instance, you tin usage clustered barroom graphs to comparison nan income by different agents crossed locations. This tin thief you understand really different agents execute crossed geographies successful nan aforesaid clip frame.

Best for: Comparing nan wave of akin values betwixt different variables.

3. Clustered Column Charts

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Column charts are akin to barroom graphs, but they disagree successful 1 captious way: they’re vertical, not horizontal. The vertical predisposition helps viewers rank different information elements.

Like barroom graphs, file charts comparison data, show trends, and show proportions. For instance, if you want to rank your income agents conversion numbers and position it crossed different locations.

You tin visualize them successful a clustered file floor plan and spot which supplier performs champion successful a peculiar location. This will beryllium visible arsenic nan tallest successful that cluster.

Best for: Displaying various information elements to rank them visually complete time.

Pro tip: I’ve seen firsthand really file charts displaying T-bars of statistical value are highly useful successful helping group successful activity dispel apt but yet untrue interpretations of data.

Sometimes, information showing meaningful alteration is still wrong normal parameters. Sometimes, a flimsy quality is significant. Managers and board whitethorn request thief seeing these realities truthful they don’t oversteer astatine determination time.

4. Line Graph

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A statement chart is simply a elemental but highly effective measurement to visually spot trends complete clip — moreover without nan frills of bars, columns, aliases other shading. You tin besides comparison aggregate information series.

As you tin spot successful nan chart above, nan statement chart compares changes successful organization complete clip for bears, dolphins, and whales.

This has breathtaking applications successful nan trading context. For instance, you tin usage it to visualize nan number of integrated visits from Google versus Bing complete 12 months. You tin besides spot nan complaint aliases velocity astatine which your information group changes.

In nan Google vs. Bing example, a steep incline would mean a abrupt spike successful integrated traffic, whereas a much gradual diminution could mean postulation is decreasing slowly.

Best for: Illustrating trends complete time, specified arsenic spikes aliases drops successful income owed to holidays, weather, aliases different variables.

5. Pie Chart

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A pastry floor plan is simply a adjuvant measurement of seeing really different information elements proportionally compare, specified arsenic income crossed months, arsenic shown successful nan floor plan above.

Like statement graphs, this is besides extensively utilized successful marketing. Let’s opportunity you’re funny astir nan percent of your integrated postulation from Google versus Bing. Or really overmuch marketplace stock do you person compared to competitors?

A pastry floor plan tin beryllium a fitting measurement to visualize that information. It’s besides a awesome measurement to spot and pass advancement toward a circumstantial goal. For instance, if your extremity is to waste a merchandise each time for 30 days successful a row, past you mightiness create a pastry floor plan pinch 30 slices and shadiness a portion each time you waste nan product.

Best for: Showing values arsenic percentages of a full and viewing information elements proportionately.

6. Radar Chart

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A radar floor plan mightiness look acquainted to you if you’ve ever taken a characteristic test, but it’s besides useful extracurricular of that industry.

Radar charts show information successful a closed, multi-pointed shape. Each constituent is called a spoke, and aggregate variables “pull” spokes of nan shape. Then, shapes tin beryllium stacked up for comparison.

This type of floor plan is well-designed for comparing different information elements, specified arsenic attributes, entities, people, strengths, aliases weaknesses. It besides helps you spot nan distribution of your information and understand whether it's overly skewed.

Best for: Comparing nan aggregate values of aggregate information bid astatine once.

7. Scatter Plot

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Scatter land look akin to statement graphs but pinch 1 captious difference: They measure nan narration betwixt 2 variables shown connected nan X- and Y-axes, enabling you to place correlations and patterns betwixt them. The scatter crippled successful nan chart supra denotes nan relationship betwixt property and time.

In nan trading context, you tin usage scatters successful scenarios for illustration comparing nan magnitude of integrated postulation (X-axis) pinch nan number of leads and signups (Y-axis).

If you spot an upward inclination successful nan dots wherever these 2 converge, you’ll cognize really an summation successful integrated postulation affects your leads and signups.

If you person a leads/signups goal, you tin create a much data-driven scheme for expanding integrated traffic.

You tin moreover further comparison nan number of leads and signups pinch regular income aliases conversions to support much programs connected data-driven paths.

Best for: Visualizing affirmative aliases antagonistic relationships betwixt 2 variables.

8. Funnel Chart

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Funnel charts are incredibly well-suited to marketers who want to optimize processes and pipelines.

In nan image above, it’s clear that you driblet nan astir candidates betwixt nan stages Qualified Prospects and Needs Analysis. So, it whitethorn beryllium absorbing to analyse that information of your chimney much profoundly to understand why.

Best for: Visually representing changes done processes helps to explain wherever nan biggest changes hap on nan way.

Pro tip: My acquisition has taught maine that if you only usage 2 levels — particularly if there’s nary awesome alteration betwixt them, it’s easy to correction this for a barroom graph, which functions wholly differently. You’ll want to usage astatine slightest 3 levels truthful it’s much intelligibly distinguished arsenic a chimney shape.

9. Histogram Chart

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Histograms are a coagulated action erstwhile explaining information that occurs astir usefully successful ranges. For instance, nan chart supra shows nan number of occurrences of a peculiar event, compared crossed somesthesia ranges.

In marketing, you tin usage it for applications for illustration showing your clients nan buying habits of various property demographics successful their merchandise niche. You whitethorn find that nan target assemblage has moved, perchance moreover jumped a scope up aliases down.

If nan customer has sold babe products for nan past 100 years, you’d spot that their target assemblage of first-time parents is getting older arsenic group hold longer to person children.

This whitethorn alteration your trading strategies to meet nan needs and issues of this older first-time genitor demographic.

Best for: Demonstrating information findings that are astir noticeable and useful erstwhile nan information is grouped successful ranges.

Advanced Excel Charts

Excel besides has precocious charts that are much analyzable and amended suited to audiences who tin already publication advanced-level charts. Some of these include:

10. Box and whisker chart.

11. Pareto chart.

12. Surface chart.

13. Sunburst chart.

14. Treemap chart.

Industry-Specific Excel Charts

The remaining Excel floor plan types don’t typically lend themselves to marketing. But, hey — if your niche calls for it, these charts listed beneath are location to support you:

15. Stock chart.

16. Waterfall chart.

17. Filled representation chart.

18. Combo chart.

Summarizing nan Charts

I cognize this has been a ton of information. If you’re still unsure which to choose, here’s a concise comparison of nan Excel charts I find astir adjuvant to marketers.

type of chart	Use
Area	Area charts show nan magnitude of a inclination betwixt 2 aliases much values complete a fixed period.
ClusteredBar	Clustered barroom charts comparison nan wave of values crossed different levels aliases variables.
Clustered Column	Clustered file charts show information changes complete a play of clip to visualize rank among information sets.
Line	Similar to barroom charts, they exemplify trends complete time.
Pie	Pie charts show values arsenic percentages of a whole.
Radar	Radar charts comparison nan aggregate worth of aggregate information series.
Scatter	Scatter charts show nan affirmative aliases antagonistic narration betwixt 2 variables.
Funnel	Funnel charts excel astatine visualizing changes to 1 information constituent complete various processes.
Histogram	Histograms show variations successful information that are champion represented arsenic a scope of values.

Side quest: If you’re looking for a deeper dive to thief you fig retired which type of chart/graph is champion for visualizing your data, cheque retired this free ebook, How to Use Data Visualization to Win Over Your Audience.

Excel Charting Adventure: Confidence and Mastery Await

Looking backmost connected that first time erstwhile I scrambled to make my graph, I’m amazed astatine really acold I’ve travel successful creating graphs and charts successful Excel.

My travel has made maine recognize that charting efficaciously is not astir perfection — it's astir process. Now, pinch a clear, step-by-step approach, building charts has go my 2nd nature.

Whether you‘re conscionable starting aliases refining your skills, retrieve that each chart you create will adhd to your expertise. Don’t beryllium acrophobic to experiment, adjust, and make mistakes.

Excel offers endless possibilities to show stories done information — truthful spot nan process, person nosy pinch it, and watch your skills grow. You’ve sewage this!

Editor's note: This station was primitively published successful April 2013 and has been updated for comprehensiveness.