How to Make a Graph in Excel
Create professional charts and graphs to visualize your data in minutes
Quick Answer
Fastest method: Select your data → Click Insert tab → Choose chart type (Column, Line, Pie, etc.) → Excel creates your chart instantly.
Keyboard shortcut: Select data → Press Alt + F1 (Windows) to create default chart.
Choose the Right Chart Type
Column/Bar Charts
Best for: Comparing values across categories
Examples: Sales by region, monthly revenue, product comparisons
Line Charts
Best for: Showing trends over time
Examples: Stock prices, temperature changes, growth trends
Pie Charts
Best for: Showing parts of a whole (percentages)
Examples: Market share, budget breakdown, survey results
Scatter Plots
Best for: Showing relationship between two variables
Examples: Height vs weight, price vs demand, correlation analysis
Step-by-Step: Create Your First Chart
Step 1: Prepare Your Data
Organize data in columns or rows with clear labels:
| Month | Sales |
|---|---|
| January | $15,000 |
| February | $18,500 |
| March | $21,200 |
Step 2: Select Your Data
- Click the first cell of your data (including headers)
- Drag to select all data you want to chart
- Include column headers for automatic legend labels
Tip: You can select non-adjacent columns by holding Ctrl (Windows) or Cmd (Mac)
Step 3: Insert the Chart
- Click the Insert tab
- In the Charts group, click a chart type button
- Choose a specific chart style from the dropdown
- Excel inserts the chart into your worksheet
Step 4: Customize Your Chart
Click the chart to reveal customization buttons:
- • Chart Elements (+): Add/remove title, legend, data labels, gridlines
- • Chart Styles (paintbrush): Change colors and style presets
- • Chart Filters (funnel): Show/hide specific data series
Creating Common Chart Types
Column Chart (Most Popular)
When to use: Comparing values across categories (e.g., sales by product)
Steps:
- Select data with category labels and values
- Insert → Column Chart → Clustered Column
- Add chart title and axis labels
Line Chart (Trend Analysis)
When to use: Showing changes over time (e.g., monthly sales trend)
Steps:
- Select data with time periods and values
- Insert → Line Chart → Line or Line with Markers
- Format line thickness and add data markers if needed
Pie Chart (Percentages)
When to use: Showing composition (e.g., market share percentages)
Steps:
- Select data with ONE column of labels and ONE column of values
- Insert → Pie Chart → 2D or 3D Pie
- Add data labels showing percentages: Click + → Data Labels → More Options → Percentage
Warning: Pie charts work poorly with many categories (keep to 5-7 max)
Combo Chart (Two Y-Axes)
When to use: Comparing different scales (e.g., sales $ and units sold)
Steps:
- Select data with multiple value columns
- Insert → Combo Chart → Clustered Column - Line on Secondary Axis
- Right-click data series → Format Data Series to switch chart types
Chart Customization Guide
Add/Edit Chart Title
Click chart → Click + button → Check "Chart Title" → Click title to edit text
Change Colors/Style
Click chart → Click paintbrush icon → Choose from preset styles or custom colors
Move/Resize Chart
Click chart border → Drag to move. Drag corner handles to resize proportionally
Add Data Labels
Click + button → Data Labels → Choose position (Center, Outside End, etc.)
Change Axis Scale
Right-click axis → Format Axis → Set min/max values, units, and number format
Add Trendline
Click + button → Trendline → Choose Linear, Exponential, or other regression types
Tips & Best Practices
Common Issues & Solutions
Chart shows wrong data or layout?
Right-click chart → Select Data → Adjust data range, series, or switch row/column
Can't see all category labels?
Resize chart wider, rotate labels (Format Axis → Text Direction), or reduce font size
Chart doesn't update with data changes?
Check that chart data range includes new cells. Right-click chart → Select Data → Edit range
Numbers displayed as dates?
Format cells as numbers before creating chart. Or format axis: Right-click axis → Format Axis → Number
Want chart on separate sheet?
Right-click chart → Move Chart → New Sheet. Or press F11 after selecting data for instant chart sheet