Step-by-Step Tutorial to Create Different Chart Types in Excel 

Over the years, Microsoft Excel has frequently upgraded and added multiple features to meet user requirements and demand. With MS Excel, users can effectively create and visualise data by creating graphs and charts. Moreover, Excel Courses make it simple for professionals to convey complex information efficiently. To learn about the numerous MS Excel chart types and understand How to Make a Chart in Excel, we suggest you read this blog.

Table of Contents

• What is an MS Excel Chart?
• Types of MS Excel Charts
• How to Create an MS Excel Chart?
• How do You Change MS Excel Chart Patterns?
• Conclusion

What is an MS Excel Chart?

An MS Excel chart is a graphical representation used to share or represent information in a graphic, table, or diagram form. Essentially, it converts numerical data into visual graphics, aiding users in comprehending information. Its primary objective is to simplify the data.

Types of MS Excel Charts

You can create several chart types in MS Excel according to their needs and purpose. Below points might give you a closer look at some of those variants and their purpose:

• Pie chart: To quantify items and show them as percentages 
• Bar chart: To horizontally compare values across a few categories 
• Column chart: To vertically compare values across a few categories 
• Line chart: To visualise trends over a period 
• Combo chart: To highlight different types of information

How to Create an MS Excel Chart?

For a step-by-step guide to creating different types of MS Excel charts, you can go through the below points:

Creating a Column chart 

You must first open an Excel File and ensure that your data is arranged in rows or columns. Once done, you can follow the below steps:

1. Choose the range of data that you wish to display in the chart 
2. Choose the ‘Column’ chart type by navigating to the ‘Insert’ option on the Excel Ribbon 
3. Select the preferred style of the column from the available options 
4. Now your chart should show up on the Excel Worksheet 

Creating a Line chart 

Your first step should be arranging your data horizontally or vertically in Excel. After this step, the following instructions can guide you: 

• Highlight the data range you wish to represent in the Line chart  
• Click the ‘Line’ chart type under the ‘Insert’ tab 
• Choose the ‘Line’ chart that closely matches your needs 
• You can find Excel generating the Line chart 

Designing a Pie chart 

Your data must be sorted so that the values correspond to percentages. Later, the below instructions can guide you: 

• Choose which data set to use for the Pie chart 
• Navigate to the ‘Insert’ menu and select the Pie chart 
• Select your preferred style for the Pie chart 
• After creating it, your Pie chart should appear on the sheet 

Creating a Bar chart 

You can sort your data either horizontally or vertically. After this, you can follow the below steps: 

• Highlight the data that should be displayed on the Bar chart 
• Select the ‘Bar’ chart type by clicking on the ‘Insert’ tab 
• Choose the style of ‘Bar’ chart you want to use 
• Excel should generate and present the ‘Bar’ chart 

Designing a Combo chart 

Once done with sorting your data according to the X and Y axis for a Combo chart, you must follow the below steps: 

• Emphasise the datasets that have the value plotted 
• Click the ‘Combo’ chart type after selecting it under the ‘Insert’ menu 
• Select the ‘Combo’ chart that you like the best 
• The ‘Combo’ chart must appear on the sheet

How do You Change MS Excel Chart Patterns?

Excel can also change charts and help you choose the best fit for your needs. For this, you can follow the steps below:

1. Select the previously created entire chart 
2. Click on the ‘Change Chart Type’ option under ‘Chart Design Tab.’ 
3. Once the ‘Change Chart Type’ Window opens, you can choose any chart type you want to select 
4. Click on ‘OK’ to make the final changes

Conclusion

After reading this blog, we hope you understand how Excel provides various chart types. Following the step-by-step instructions discussed in this blog, you can experiment with the different MS Excel chart types and effectively present your findings.