Can I create a chart with multiple data series in Excel?

Yes, to create a chart with multiple series, select all the information you want to include, go to the "Insert" tab, and choose a chart type.

Can I merge different two charts in Excel?

For different chart types, Excel’s combo chart feature or manual data adjustments allow you to merge them into a cohesive display.

How to Effectively Use Excel Charts: Tips to Best Visualize Your Data

Home Blog How-to

How to Effectively Use Excel Charts for Data Visualization Success

Jan 27, 2025

Presenting data doesn’t have to be a dull collection of numbers.

Excel charts help your data tell a story. Use them to turn raw numbers into clear, engaging visuals that make your data easier to understand and far more memorable.

What types of graphs are there in Excel?

Excel offers a wide array of chart types to communicate data in a visually appealing way.

Each graph has unique strengths, allowing you to highlight trends, make comparisons, identify patterns, and gain insights at a glance, both in a professional and everyday setting.

Bar graphs and column charts

Bar and column charts are perfect for visually comparing values across categories. Bar charts use horizontal bars, while column charts use vertical bars.

Bar charts could be used to compare monthly household expenses across categories.

A column chart is great for ranking your top-performing teams or tracking class attendance rates.

Line graphs

Line graphs show trends over time by connecting data points with a line and are ideal for illustrating changes or trends and quickly spotting peaks or declines.

Line graphs work well for tracking data like monthly sales or temperature changes over a week.

Pie charts

Pie charts represent data as slices of a whole, displaying proportions or percentages. They’re ideal for showing how different segments contribute to a single total.

A pie chart can illustrate the distribution of daily time usage or comparing population segments.

Area charts

Area charts add a sense of volume and are useful for comparing different data series over time and seeing how values contribute to the whole.

Area charts could show cumulative rainfall over months or the change in internet usage.

Scatter plots

Scatter plots use dots to represent values for two variables, allowing you to see relationships or correlations, spot trends, or outliers in datasets with paired variables.

Scatter plots could explore the relationship between hours studied and test scores or contrast average commute time and job satisfaction.

Bubble charts

In bubble charts, the size of each bubble represents a third variable. They’re useful for showing relationships and comparing magnitudes.

Use a bubble chart to compare multiple variables like city population, area, and density.

Stock chart

Stock charts are tailored for displaying financial information. They typically include features like zooming and scrolling for detailed analysis.

Stock charts can help you track stock price trends over time for personal finance purposes.

Radar charts

Radar charts display multiple variables on a circular graph, with values extending from a central point. They’re ideal for comparing attributes across multiple categories.

A radar chart can help compare skill levels in a job candidate or visualize fitness attributes.

Surface charts

Surface charts show a three-dimensional view of data, making them ideal for finding the optimal combination of two variables.

Surface charts visualize topography or elevation data.

Waterfall charts

Waterfall charts illustrate how incremental values contribute to a total, great for tracking cumulative changes and showing how individual factors affect a starting value over time.

Waterfall charts track net income changes or visualize a project timeline.

Funnel charts

Funnel charts show how numbers moves through stages in a process, with the top representing the start and narrowing as it progresses. They’re ideal to identify drop-off points.

A funnel chart could visualize the progression of a research project or map stages of application processing.

How do you create a graph in spreadsheet software?

1. Input and select your data.

Highlight the range you want to include in your chart.

2. Navigate to the 'Insert' tab.

Click the ‘Chart’ tab, then choose your preferred chart type.

3. Customize elements.

From the Design tab, use "Add Chart Element" to customize elements like the description (legend, axis titles, and data labels).

4. Switch rows/columns.

Right-click the chart, select "Select Data," and click "Switch Row/Column."

5. Adjust layout and colors.

In the "Chart Design" tab, choose layout and color options for the description (titles, axis labels, and legends).

6. Adjust the description: data label formats, axis titles, or Y-axis measurements.

Choose the relevant options from "Format."

7. Add a title and save.

Click "Chart Title" to edit, then format it from the "Home" tab. To save, right-click the chart and select "Save as Picture."

When to use graphs in Excel?

A graph helps you showcase the main points, bringing clarity and emphasis to your insights.

Each chart type has a specific purpose: bar graphs work well for comparisons, line graphs for trends over time, and pie charts for proportions.

How to change chart type or location?

If your chart needs a different look, you don’t have to start over.

Click on the chart, go to the "Chart Design" tab, and select "Change Chart Type."

To move the chart, click "Move Chart" to shift it to a different worksheet or create a new sheet.

Conclusion

Incorporating charts in Excel allows you to transform raw chart numbers into impactful visuals. With the right chart type and thoughtful customization, you can create accessible, easy-to-understand graphics that tell your story effectively.

If navigating Excel feels complex, why not simplify with MobiSheets? It’s designed to make data visualization fast and user-friendly!

FAQ

Alt text is crucial for making Excel charts accessible to users with visual impairments, as it allows screen readers to describe chart content. Adding alt text in Excel is simple and ensures that all users can understand the information your chart conveys.