This article explains how to create a line chart using Microsoft Excel. You can perform the procedure described in the article on both a Windows computer and a Mac.
Steps
Part 1 of 2: Creating a Line Chart
Step 1. Launch Microsoft Excel
Double-click the program icon, which has a white "X" on a green background. The main Excel window will appear.
If you want to use an Excel workbook that already has data, double-click the corresponding file icon and skip the next two steps
Step 2. Click the Blank Workbook item
It is located in the main Excel window. A new sheet will appear in which you can enter your data.
If you are using a Mac, depending on your Excel configuration settings, a new blank workbook may automatically appear when you start the program. In this case, skip this step
Step 3. Enter the data to be graphed
A line chart is based on a Cartesian plane consisting of two axes, so you need to have two sets of data to be able to populate it correctly. Enter the data in two separate columns. For simplicity, enter the X-axis data (relative to time) in the left column and the data you acquired in the right column.
For example, to keep track of your annual expenses based on time you will have to place the dates in the left column and the amounts in the right one
Step 4. Select the data
Drag the mouse pointer over the cells that contain the data to be represented in the chart, starting from the upper left cell to end in the one in the lower right corner. All data will appear highlighted.
Make sure you also include the column headings, if any
Step 5. Click the Insert tab
It is located on the left of the Excel ribbon visible at the top of the program window. This will bring up the tab toolbar insert.
Step 6. Click on the "Line Chart" icon
It is placed within the group Graphs and is characterized by a series of broken lines. A drop-down menu will appear.
Step 7. Select the style of the chart to create
Move the mouse cursor over one of the line chart templates in the drop-down menu that appeared to see how the data you selected would be displayed. In the center of the Excel window, the box with the preview of the chart you have chosen should appear.
Step 8. Click the chart style you want to use
After you have chosen the model to use, click on it with the mouse. The line chart you have selected will be created in the center of the Excel sheet.
Part 2 of 2: Changing the Graph Parameters
Step 1. Customize the look of the chart
After creating it, the tab will appear Design. To change the appearance of the chart you can select one of the styles present in the "Graphic Styles" group of the "Design" tab.
If the "Design" toolbar does not appear, click on the chart box in the center of the sheet, then click on the tab Design on the Excel ribbon.
Step 2. Move the chart to another place on the sheet
Click the white space at the top of the chart box, then drag it to the position you want.
You also have the possibility to reposition some specific parts of the graph (for example the title) by selecting them with the mouse and dragging them to the desired position of the box
Step 3. Resize the chart
Click on one of the chart anchor points located in the center of the sides and at the corners of the corresponding box, then drag it to make the chart area smaller or larger.
Step 4. Edit the chart title
Double-click on the chart title, then select the text "Chart title" and type whatever you like. At this point, save the changes by clicking anywhere outside the text box corresponding to the title of the graph.
