A chart is a pictorial representation of data used to compare, analyze, observe patterns and trends in data. A chart can be 2D or 3D.

Advantages of charts:
1. They present data in a more attractive way.
2. The make it easy to compare and understand data.

Components of a Chart
1. Data Series: data entries from which a chart is derived.
2. X-Axis: horizontal axis (also known as category axis).
3. Y-Axis: vertical axis (also known as value axis).
4. Chart Title: tells what the chart represents.
5. Chart Area: covers all the components of the chart.
6. Plot Area: area bounded by the two axes.
7. Legend: identifies each data series by giving a unique color or pattern to each data series.
8. Gridlines: lines that run from X Axis and Y axis.

You can have a maximum of 256 data series in a chart in Excel 2016.

We can move a chart within the same workbook or to a different workbook.

We can resize a chart using the chart’s corner handles.

We can delete a chart by selecting it and clicking the Delete button on the keyboard.

Formatting a Chart
Design tab→Chart Layouts group→Add Chart Element→Chart Title
Right-click the plot area→Format Plot Area option
Right-click Legend boundary→Format Legend option
Right-click the data series→Format Data Series option
Right-click X-Axis or Y-Axis→Format Axis option

A Name the following:

1. Pictorial representation of data. Chart
2. Coordinates of a three-dimensional chart. X, Y, and Z
3. Any three types of charts. Column Chart, Line Chart, Pie Chart
4. Category axis of chart. X-Axis
5. Data entries from which a chart is derived. Data Series

B Fill in the blanks:

1. X-Axis is the horizontal axis of a chart. It is also known as the Category axis.
2. Chart Title is usually placed at the top of the chart.
3. Chart Area refers to all the objects of the chart.
4. Bar chart shows comparisons among individual items through a cluster of bars.
5. Formatting means changing the chart title, text, color and other components.

C State whether the given statements are true or false.

1. A bar chart is in the form of lines. False
2. A line chart uses connecting dots to display trends in data over a period of time. True
3. A pie chart is used to plot the data for multiple data series. False
4. XY Scatter chart is used to compare a pair of XY values. True
5. A chart can be moved to a different location on the same worksheet. True

D Choose the correct answer.

1. ________ identifies each data series.
   a. Legend
   b. Gridline
   c. Data Label
   d. Plot Area
2. We can print a chart by clicking on the ________ tab.
   a. Data
   b. Charts
   c. Home
   d. File
3. The ________ and ________ define the two sides of rectangular plot area.
   a. X-Axis, Y-Axis
   b. Short Title, Axis Title
   c. Gridlines, Legends
   d. Chart Area, Plot Area
4. Pressing ________ key is the shortest method to create a chart.
   a. F12
   b. F11
   c. Ctrl + F11
   d. Shift + F12
5. We can insert a chart from the ________ group of the ________ tab.
   a. Charts, Design
   b. Insert, Charts
   c. Charts, Insert
   d. Data, Design

E Answer the following questions.

1. Write a short note on different types of charts.
   a. Column Chart: useful for showing change in data over a period of time. Categories are organized along X-Axis and values along Y-Axis.
   b. Line Chart: uses connecting dots to display trends in data over a period of time.
   c. Pie Chart: represents each data point as a slice of the circle. It plots data for a single data series.
   d. Bar Chart: In a bar chart, categories are organized vertically and values horizontally. It is a column chart drawn sideways.
   e. Area Chart: It is similar to a line chart, with area below the line filled with color.
   f. XY Scatter Chart: It displays values on both X and Y axes. It shows relationships between two sets of data.
   g. Doughnut Chart: It is similar to a pie chart, but it supports multiple data series, represented through concentric rings.
   h. Radar Chart: It is used to compare multiple data series and highlight strengths and weaknesses across several categories. Each category has an axis that starts from the center.
   i. Stock Chart: It is a visual representation of a stock’s price movement over time.
   j. Bubble Chart: The data points are replaced with bubbles. An additional dimension is represented in the size of the bubbles. Both horizontal and vertical axes are value axes.
2. Write the steps to print a chart.
   Select the chart→File tab→Print option→Print button
3. How will you format the plot area background?
   Right-click the plot area→Format Plot Area option
4. Explain the two methods to move a chart.
   a. Select the range and press the F11 key.
   b. Select the range→Insert tab→Charts group→Select type of chart
5. Write the steps to insert the chart title.
   Design tab→Chart Layouts group→Add Chart Element→Chart Title

Quick Check

Fill in the blanks.

1. A chart can have one or more than one data series from which it is derived.
2. The legend in a chart identifies each data series and a unique color or pattern is assigned to each data series to make it easier to distinguish between them visually.
3. In a bar chart, categories are typically organized vertically, and values are organized horizontally.
4. An area chart is mainly used for representing sales and production figures of a company.
5. Radar charts are useful for comparing multiple quantitative variables and each variable is provided with an axis that starts from the center.

Choose True or False for the following statements.

1. Resizing a chart in Excel can be done by dragging the corner, which are known as corner handles. True
2. To format the background of the plot area in Excel, you can select it, right-click and choose the Format Plot Area option. True
3. You can add a chart title in Excel by clicking on the Design tab, selecting Add Chart Element and choosing the Chart Title option. True
4. To move a chart to a different location on the same worksheet, you can click on the chart and drag it to the desired position. True