Drawing > Creating charts and pictographs > Setting the chart type and options

 

Setting the chart type and options

You can select different chart types and options, and preview how the data will be presented, either as you create the chart or afterwards. Options vary according to the chart type.

To choose a chart type for a selected chart:

1

Double-click the Chart button in the Xtra toolbar.

2

In the Chart dialog box, click the Chart Type button to display the chart type options.

3

Select a chart type:

Grouped Column compares data using bars. Each bar represents one cell of data.

Stacked Column compares the progress of data. Each bar represents a row of data.

Line shows the trend of data over a period of time. Each line represents a column of data.

Pie displays data in a circular graph with wedges. Each cell of data represents a single wedge. Each row of data produces a Pie chart.

Area displays filled areas representing the progress of data over time. Each area represents a column of data in the Worksheet. Each column's value is added to the previous column's total.

Scatter plots data as paired sets of coordinates to identify trends in data. Each coordinate represents a row of data containing two cells.

4

To preview your chart using the selected chart type, click Apply.

To specify chart options:

1

In the Chart dialog box, click the Chart Type button to display the chart type options.

2

Select a chart type using the buttons and then select options for that type:

For Grouped Column and Stacked Column graphs, specify a Column Width to adjust the space of each column. Values greater than 100 overlap columns.

For a Grouped Column graph, specify a cluster width to adjust the space for each group of columns. Values greater than 100 overlap columns.

For a Pie chart, specify the Separation between pie pieces, from none (0) to 50.

For Line and Scatter graphs, choose the type of Data Markers: None, Square, Diamond, Triangle, or Circle.

3

Select Data Numbers in Chart to display the data values next to the graph or chart points.

This option is not available for Area graphs.

4

Select Drop Shadow to add a drop shadow behind and to the right of the chart.

This option is not available for Line and Scatter charts.

5

Select Legends Across Top to display legends across the top of the chart, instead of along its side.

6

Click Apply to preview your changes without closing the Chart panel, or click OK to apply the changes and close the panel.