Drawing with the graph tools
The graph tools let you define the dimensions of a graph. The tool you use initially determines the type of graph Illustrator generates; however, you can easily change the type of graph later on. There are two ways to draw with a graph tool: you can drag to set the graph dimensions directly on the artboard or click to specify the dimensions in a dialog box. With either method, the dimensions you specify are for the main body of the graph and do not encompass the graph's labels and legend. Labels (A) fall outside the graph boundaries (B). You can use the Scale tool to resize a graph after you create it. However, keep in mind that using the Scale tool also affects text in the graph.
To use a graph tool: - Select a graph tool in the toolbox: the Column Graph tool
, the Stacked Column Graph tool , the Bar Graph tool , the Stacked Bar Graph tool , the Line Graph tool , the Area Graph tool , the Scatter Graph tool , the Pie Graph tool , or the Radar Graph tool . - Do one of the following:
- Drag diagonally from the corner where you want the graph to begin to the opposite corner. Hold down Shift to constrain the graph to a square.
- Alt-drag (Windows) or Option-drag (Mac OS) to draw the graph from its center. Hold down Shift to constrain the graph to a square.
- Click where you want to create the graph. The Graph dialog box appears. Enter a width and height for the graph, and click OK.
The Graph Data window appears. Use this window to organize the data from which Illustrator generates the graph.
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