Selecting Data for Your Chart

Choosing a Chart Type

Changing the Chart Type

Switching Rows and Columns

Choosing a Chart Layout

Choosing a Chart Style

Moving the Chart to a Separate Chart Sheet

Adding, Editing, and Removing a Chart Title

Adding, Editing, and Removing a Legend

Adding and Positioning Data Labels

Adding a Data Table

Manipulating Axes

Adding Axis Titles

Changing the Rotation of Chart Text

Displaying Gridlines

Adding Text Annotations

Changing the Font or Size of Chart Text

Applying Shape Styles and WordArt Styles

Adding Glow and Soft Edges to Chart Markers

Saving Templates to Make Chart Formats Reusable

IF you upgraded to Microsoft Excel 2010 from Excel 2007, you will find the charting tools and user interface little changed. On the other hand, if your previous experience was with Excel 2003 or a version prior to that, you will find much that’s new and valuable in Excel 2010. First, the new ribbon-based user interface lets you format and customize your charts with fewer mouse clicks and fewer dialog boxes. Second, the current version boasts vastly enhanced presentation capabilities. Now, more than ever, it’s easy to turn your spreadsheet numbers into gorgeous graphs. Moreover, because Excel 2010 shares its charting engine with other Microsoft Office system applications, transporting your charts to Microsoft Word 2010 and Microsoft PowerPoint 2010 documents is now simpler and more reliable.

In this chapter, we survey the tasks you can perform with charts by using the ribbon. Chapter 20, presents the new feature called sparklines, which allow you to depict data graphically within the confines of a single worksheet cell. In Chapter 21 you’ll explore some formatting options that take you beyond the ribbon to more traditional dialog boxes.