Goal: to create a bar graph using Excel to represent a particular set of data.

Follow along using your own set of data or by using the data below describing the medal count of the 1996 Summer Olympics for countries with 40 or more medals.

To begin highlight the collection of data in the table that you wish to display in the graph. If you are using the data above you may select the entire table.
Then press the Chart Wizard button on the toolbar.

Chart Type

Since we want to create a column bar graph we will highlight "Column" and then select the chart sub-type as well. To see a preview of your data displayed as a certain sub-type first click on the particular sub-type then press the button labeled "Press and hold to view sample". This option allows you to get an idea of the exact style of column bar graph that will best suit your needs. When finished press "Next".

Chart Source Data

Notice that in this next window, entitled "Chart Source Data", there are two tabs: Data Range and Series. We need to make sure that the source of data is precisely what we want displayed in our bar graph. We will first examine the Data Range tab.

"Data Range : =Sheet1!$A$1:$E$6" tells the program that the information in the bar graph comes from Sheet 1 of the Excel file and the data is found in cells A1 through E6.

Under "Series In" we want to select "Columns" since the bar graph is going to be created by treating the data in the columns as groups, i.e., we'll compare data in one column to the data in the other columns. You may want to experiment by selecting "Rows" to see how the look of the graph changes when grouping the data by rows.

When you are finished select the "Series" tab. (If you accidentally press "Next" you may return the previous window by pressing "Back".)

At this point we might realize that we do not want the "Total" column to appear in our graph. We could have avoided this earlier by specifying "Data Range : =Sheet1!$A$1:$D$6" inside the "Data Range" tab (this adjustment would tell the computer that the data would stop with cell D6).

Instead of going back to the previous window we can remove the data here by highlighting "Total" in the "Series" box and then clicking on "Remove".

Under "Series" it should list "Gold", "Silver", and "Bronze". If we highlight any one of these three options the values in the "Name" and "Value" boxes will change. For example, if we highlight "Gold" we find "Name=Sheet1!$B$1" which means the name is found in Sheet 1 of the file in cell B1. In addition, the "Values:=Sheet1!$B$2:$B$6" are listed in cells B2 to B6. Finally we want to be sure that the "Category Labels:=Sheet1!$A$2:$A$6" come from cells A2 to A6.

Chart Options

This is where we fine-tune the look of our graph. This window contains six tabs: Titles, Axes, Gridlines, Legend, Data Labels, and Data Table.

Titles Tab -- Create a name for the graph and define labels for the x and y-axes.
I have chosen to entitle my chart "1996 Summer Olympics Medal Count".

Axes Tab -- Determines method of labeling values along axes.

Gridlines Tab -- Allows insertion/deletion of gridlines.

Legend Tab -- Allows insertion/deletion of a legend as well as choosing the location.

Data Labels Tab -- Explore the various options on labeling in the graph. Be careful not to clutter the picture.

Data Table Tab -- Allows you to join the table and bar graph into one picture.

Note: I have chosen not to adjoin a table to my graph despite the above picture.

When you are finished exploring the various options within the tabs press "Next".

Chart Location

This window allows you to choose where you want your chart placed. Options include placing the bar graph on the sheet containing the data table or on a separate sheet.

After making your selection press "Finish".

The Final Product

Behold the splendor of your bar graph.

You may want to adjust the placement of your chart. To do so, place the cursor arrow over a white section then click, drag and drop your picture in the desired location. Similarly, you can alter look of the contents within the box by right-clicking on the text or bar graph image and selecting the desired menu option. If you wish to resize the box containing your chart click once on the box so that the little black squares, called handlers, appear that mark the perimeter of your image. By placing the cursor over each of the squares you will get directional arrows which indicate the directions to click and drag the cursor for resizing.

If you have additional questions you may email them to gcoulomb@bates.edu, or bring your data to the Math Workshop.