Column Chart In Excel 2015

Excel 2015 is a powerful tool that allows users to create various types of charts, including column charts. Column charts are a type of chart that displays data in vertical columns. They are commonly used to compare data across different categories or to track changes over time. In this article, we will explore how to create a column chart in Excel 2015, along with some tips, tricks, and frequently asked questions.

Creating a Column Chart in Excel 2015

To create a column chart in Excel 2015, follow these steps:

Step 1: Open Excel

Launch Excel 2015 on your computer.

Step 2: Enter Data

Enter the data you want to plot in the column chart into an Excel worksheet. Make sure to arrange the data in columns or rows, with the categories or labels in one column or row and the corresponding values in another column or row.

Step 3: Select Data

Select the data you want to include in the column chart. You can click and drag your mouse to select the range of cells or use the Ctrl key to select individual cells or ranges of cells.

Step 4: Insert Chart

Go to the “Insert” tab in Excel 2015 and click on the “Column Chart” button in the “Charts” group. Choose the type of column chart you want to create, such as a clustered column chart or a stacked column chart.

Step 5: Customize Chart

Once the column chart is inserted into your worksheet, you can customize it to suit your needs. You can change the chart title, axis labels, colors, and other formatting options by right-clicking on the chart and selecting the appropriate options from the context menu.

Sample Column Charts in Excel 2015

Here are five examples of column charts that can be created in Excel 2015:

1. Sales by Region

This column chart shows the sales figures for different regions over a specific period of time. Each column represents a region, and the height of the column represents the sales amount.

2. Product Comparison

This column chart compares the sales of different products in a specific time frame. Each column represents a product, and the height of the column represents the sales amount.

3. Monthly Expenses

This column chart displays the monthly expenses for different categories, such as rent, utilities, groceries, and entertainment. Each column represents a category, and the height of the column represents the expense amount.

4. Website Traffic

This column chart shows the website traffic for different months. Each column represents a month, and the height of the column represents the number of visitors or page views.

5. Stock Prices

This column chart displays the stock prices of different companies over a specific time period. Each column represents a company, and the height of the column represents the stock price.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) about Column Charts in Excel 2015

1. How can I change the color of the columns in a column chart?

You can change the color of the columns by right-clicking on a column, selecting “Format Data Series” from the context menu, and then choosing a new color from the options available.

2. Can I add data labels to the columns in a column chart?

Yes, you can add data labels to the columns by right-clicking on a column, selecting “Add Data Labels” from the context menu, and then choosing the desired position for the labels.

3. Is it possible to create a 3D column chart in Excel 2015?

Yes, you can create a 3D column chart by selecting the “3-D Column” option from the chart type menu. However, it is important to note that 3D charts can sometimes be difficult to interpret and may not be suitable for all types of data.

4. How can I change the axis labels in a column chart?

You can change the axis labels by right-clicking on the axis, selecting “Format Axis” from the context menu, and then choosing the desired options for the labels.

5. Can I add a trendline to a column chart in Excel 2015?

Yes, you can add a trendline to a column chart by right-clicking on a series, selecting “Add Trendline” from the context menu, and then choosing the desired type of trendline.

6. How do I resize a column chart in Excel 2015?

To resize a column chart, click on the chart to select it, then click and drag one of the corner handles to adjust the size.

7. Can I create a column chart with multiple series in Excel 2015?

Yes, you can create a column chart with multiple series by selecting the data for each series and then inserting a column chart.

8. How can I change the order of the columns in a column chart?

You can change the order of the columns by rearranging the data in the worksheet. Excel will automatically update the chart to reflect the new order.

9. Is it possible to create a column chart with a secondary axis in Excel 2015?

Yes, you can create a column chart with a secondary axis by selecting the data for the second series, inserting a column chart, and then selecting the “Secondary Axis” option for the series.

10. Can I animate a column chart in Excel 2015?

Yes, you can animate a column chart by using the “Animations” tab in Excel. You can apply different animation effects to the chart, such as fading, sliding, or zooming.

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column chart, Excel 2015, data visualization, charts, data analysis, Microsoft Office, data presentation, data comparison, data tracking, data trends