If we talk about Microsoft applications, they are facilitating us widely and greatly influence the lives of students, businessmen, and even ordinary storekeepers. Excel is also one of those wonderful tools that we can use for different purposes whether we belong to an educational field, transport field, medical, or some software field. We usually use MS Excel to record events, analyze them, and conclude results from the given data. We prepare an excel sheet for keeping data of supposing students' marks in a different subject, then conclude the final result for the first term, second term, and so on. It sometimes becomes hectic to compare the results of terms and track the progress.

You can make it easy for you and the person you want to discuss the student's progress report by developing a graph in Excel. For this purpose, you must know how to make a graph in Excel and arrange your analysis in an aesthetic and easy-to-understand way.

A complete guide on how to make a graph in Excel

For a complete understanding of how to make a graph in excel, you need to understand properly what is a graph, whether it is the same as charts, what steps to follow while making it, how you can make it aesthetic and readable, and for which purposes you can use it in your daily life. In this article, we will be covering all these aspects of the graph in Excel.

What is a graph in excel?

A graph represents data you have arranged in the columns or rows of the excel sheets in the form of bars, pies, or lines. When learning how to make a graph in excel, it is necessary to understand the difference between a graph and a chart to avoid any inconvenience while dealing with data. The graph is more accurate and helps to arrange raw data into columns and rows and then present them in the form of a graph, and data must be in numerical values while charts are somehow different and simpler than the graphs. Charts illustrate particular segments of information of some random moments aesthetically.

How to make a graph in excel?

If you are not familiar enough with excel and do not know to use its template, you need to learn about it. One of its beautiful templates is making graphs by arranging data in columns and rows of excel sheets. The following steps will help you learn how to make a graph in excel and use it for different purposes.

Enter your data on the excel sheet

The first step is to enter your data into columns by categorizing it as columns A, B, C, and D, or more than that, according to your need and data type. You can enter your data manually in the columns or use data from other applications or research tools directly in the excel sheet. You must ensure the data you are putting is relevant and have a relation like "x" to "y" component so that your graph can you the right presentation of data. Suppose you are entering in column A the months in the institute conducted tests; in columns B, C, D, and so on, you are entering the subject marks.

Select and insert graph type accordingly.

After putting or arranging data into columns, you need to look for suitable types of graphs from the menu bar. You will find a different option for inserting graphs to arrange your data into a graphical illustration. The option of graph you will find there.

·   Bar graphs

·   Line graph

·   Column graph

·   Pie graph

·   Combo graph

·   Scattered graph

·   Area graph etc.

It depends on the data you are using and what you want to show the viewer by making this graph. The graph must be visually friendly and contain the proper information. The best option for presenting the data through the graph is using a bar graph or combo graphs for multiple data types.

Combine the columns and rows by switching.

Next, it is time to make the graph more aesthetic and clear by switching the columns or rows so that the x-axis and y-axis are visible. Otherwise, the data you are representing through the graph will collapse with the columns or rows behind and not give a feasible and readable look. For switching the rows and columns, you can select the graph you have made by clicking right on the graph, clicking select data, and choosing switch rows or columns. Now, you can see the x-axis and y-axis of the graph as this step has clearly defined what type of data will carry the x and y-axis.

Give your graph and aesthetic loo by adding colors and layout.

The automatic layout of the graph is not always suitable for visibility purposes, and you need to change it according to your need for presentation. You can choose the most suitable layout for your graph by right-clicking on the graph and choosing the layout from the chart design. It will help you decide how you want to make your graph look, which information you want to add for the reader, and which format. You can also choose the color of your choice to present clear contrast of the data by looking into the need and aesthetic requirements. The colors must be eye-catching and relevant to the data you have presented in the form of a graph.

Do adjustments to bring suitable graph size.

You can increase or decrease the graph size collectively or deal with the components of a graph like lines or bars. You do not need to expand the graph collectively, but you can bring selective changes in the size of graph components. Right-click on the graph, go to the home menu, and choose the font type, color, style, typing box size, etc.

Do check your graph to avoid any mistakes.

When you have done graph making, it is time to review the data you have entered and make a graph. Overlook the graph color, size, and type of graph you choose.

Add keys to your graph.

Do not forget to add keys to the graph, like which color you have used for representing which data. It will help you make things clear for the reader, and he will understand the graph better.

Share the title of your graph on the sheet.

The most important and fun creating part of the learning how to make a graph is to add the title of your graph that adds a pitch for the reader or viewer to get a clear understanding. On the upright front of the graph, you can add the text box of suitable size by clicking on the insert and then on the chart title. Usually, a graph or chart title appears itself depending upon the version of Excel you are using. 

Export or save your graph.

You have made the chart of data you have had, and now it is time to save it for future use or present it to your students, colleagues, or clients. For this purpose, you will click on the file option of the menu bar to save the whole file or save it just as a picture to use in word or PowerPoint presentation. For saving it as a picture, do right-click over the graph and then click the option of saving it as a picture. Save it as a picture by putting the relevant name in the dialogue box.

Tips to enhance its visibility

When you are learning how to make a graph in Excel, you also need to look for tips to enhance its visibility for the reader or viewer.

1- Choose the type of graph that better presents your data

You should observe the data you are putting in the columns or rows of the excel sheet and check its requirement. They look for the type of graphs that can represent it so that the reader does not need to read the information in the world but understands the graph.

2- Don't make it complex.

The graph should be simple, so you do not need to add complex terms and effects in graphs that make it complex, and only you can understand it.

3- Use an aesthetic color combination.

The graph must have an aesthetic look that you can bring using a perfect layout and colors. Choose eye-catching colors and layout instead of becoming more creative when not having enough ideas. So, being simple is good.

4- Don't forget to label the data on your graph.

You should also label it with the terms you are presenting through it and also set the title to indicate what you are willing to represent through this graph.

Applications of making a graph in Excel

When you invest your time in learning how to make a graph in excel, you should know about its applications. So, the graph is in excel.

·   Helps to arrange data simply.

·   Helps to compare two different parameters

·   Helps to engage the viewer

·   Helps to track the progress

Conclusion

You need to understand the need for a graph before going to learn how to make a graph in excel, and it would give you a push to dive into the depth of dealing with the data aesthetically. If you need to create a Gantt Chart using Excel, justo go to our Free Gantt Chart Template for Excel