Column Chart In Excel 2018

Introduction

A column chart is a type of chart that displays data using rectangular bars. It is commonly used to compare data across different categories or to track changes over time. In Excel 2018, creating a column chart is easy and can be done in just a few simple steps.

Creating a Column Chart

To create a column chart in Excel 2018, follow these steps:

Step 1: Select the Data

First, select the data that you want to include in the chart. This can be done by clicking and dragging the mouse over the cells that contain the data.

Step 2: Insert the Chart

Next, go to the “Insert” tab in the Excel ribbon and click on the “Column” chart icon. This will open a dropdown menu with various column chart options.

Step 3: Choose a Chart Type

From the dropdown menu, select the type of column chart that you want to create. Excel offers several options, including clustered column, stacked column, and 3D column charts.

Step 4: Customize the Chart

Once you have selected a chart type, Excel will insert the chart into your worksheet. You can then customize the chart by adding titles, labels, and legends, changing the colors and styles of the bars, and adjusting the axis scales.

Sample Column Charts

Here are five examples of column charts that you can create in Excel 2018:

1. Sales by Region

This column chart compares the sales performance of different regions. Each column represents a region, and the height of the column indicates the sales amount.

2. Monthly Expenses

This column chart shows the monthly expenses of a business. Each column represents a month, and the height of the column represents the expense amount.

3. Product Sales by Category

This column chart displays the sales of different product categories. Each column represents a category, and the height of the column represents the sales amount.

4. Population Growth

This column chart depicts the population growth of a city over several years. Each column represents a year, and the height of the column represents the population size.

5. Market Share

This column chart illustrates the market share of different companies in a particular industry. Each column represents a company, and the height of the column represents the market share percentage.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Here are some frequently asked questions about creating column charts in Excel 2018:

1. Can I change the color of the bars in a column chart?

Yes, you can change the color of the bars in a column chart. To do this, select the chart and go to the “Format” tab in the Excel ribbon. From there, you can choose a different color for the bars.

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

Yes, you can add data labels to a column chart to display the values of the bars. To do this, select the chart and go to the “Layout” tab in the Excel ribbon. From there, you can choose to display data labels on the chart.

3. Can I create a stacked column chart in Excel 2018?

Yes, you can create a stacked column chart in Excel 2018. This type of chart displays the data as stacked bars, where each bar represents a category and the height of the bar represents the total value of the category.

4. Can I create a 3D column chart in Excel 2018?

Yes, you can create a 3D column chart in Excel 2018. This type of chart adds a third dimension to the chart, making it appear more visually appealing and interactive.

5. Can I change the axis scales in a column chart?

Yes, you can change the axis scales in a column chart. To do this, select the chart and go to the “Format Axis” option in the Excel ribbon. From there, you can adjust the minimum and maximum values of the axis scales.

6. Can I create a column chart with multiple data series?

Yes, you can create a column chart with multiple data series. Each data series will be represented by a different set of columns, allowing you to compare multiple sets of data in the same chart.

7. Can I create a column chart with a secondary axis?

Yes, you can create a column chart with a secondary axis. This can be useful when you have two different data series with different scales that you want to compare on the same chart.

8. Can I create a column chart with a trendline?

Yes, you can create a column chart with a trendline. A trendline is a line that shows the general direction of the data in the chart, making it easier to identify trends and patterns.

9. Can I create a column chart from non-adjacent cells?

Yes, you can create a column chart from non-adjacent cells. To do this, hold down the Ctrl key and select the cells that you want to include in the chart. Then, follow the steps mentioned earlier to create the chart.

10. Can I copy a column chart to another worksheet or workbook?

Yes, you can copy a column chart to another worksheet or workbook. Simply select the chart, press Ctrl+C to copy it, and then go to the destination worksheet or workbook and press Ctrl+V to paste it.

Tags

column chart, Excel 2018, data visualization, charts, data analysis, data comparison, data tracking, data representation, data labels, stacked column chart, 3D column chart, axis scales, trendline, non-adjacent cells, copy and paste