Polar Chart Examples In Excel 2013

Excel 2013 is a powerful tool that allows users to create a wide variety of charts and graphs to visually represent data. One type of chart that is often used for displaying cyclic data is the polar chart. In this article, we will explore five examples of polar charts in Excel 2013, as well as provide answers to frequently asked questions about creating and using polar charts.

Example 1: Temperature Fluctuations

One common use of polar charts is to display temperature fluctuations over a period of time. In this example, the angle of the polar chart represents the time of day, while the distance from the center represents the temperature. By plotting the temperature at different times throughout the day, you can easily see patterns and trends in the data.

Steps to Create:

1. Enter your data into Excel, with the time of day in one column and the temperature in another.

2. Select the data and click on the “Insert” tab.

3. In the “Charts” group, click on the “Other Charts” button.

4. Select “Polar” from the dropdown menu.

5. Excel will automatically create a polar chart with your data.

Example 2: Sales by Region

Another use of polar charts is to display sales data by region. In this example, each region is represented by a different angle, while the distance from the center represents the sales amount. By plotting the sales for each region, you can easily compare the performance of different areas.

Steps to Create:

1. Enter your data into Excel, with the region names in one column and the sales amounts in another.

2. Select the data and click on the “Insert” tab.

3. In the “Charts” group, click on the “Other Charts” button.

4. Select “Polar” from the dropdown menu.

5. Excel will automatically create a polar chart with your data.

Example 3: Survey Results

Polar charts can also be used to display survey results. In this example, each question is represented by a different angle, while the distance from the center represents the percentage of respondents who answered a certain way. By plotting the survey results, you can easily see which questions had the highest or lowest percentage of a certain response.

Steps to Create:

1. Enter your data into Excel, with the survey questions in one column and the percentages in another.

2. Select the data and click on the “Insert” tab.

3. In the “Charts” group, click on the “Other Charts” button.

4. Select “Polar” from the dropdown menu.

5. Excel will automatically create a polar chart with your data.

Example 4: Wind Direction

One unique use of polar charts is to display wind direction. In this example, each direction is represented by a different angle, while the distance from the center represents the frequency or strength of the wind from that direction. By plotting the wind direction, you can easily see which directions are the most common or strongest.

Steps to Create:

1. Enter your data into Excel, with the wind directions in one column and the frequencies or strengths in another.

2. Select the data and click on the “Insert” tab.

3. In the “Charts” group, click on the “Other Charts” button.

4. Select “Polar” from the dropdown menu.

5. Excel will automatically create a polar chart with your data.

Example 5: Time Zones

Another interesting use of polar charts is to display time zones around the world. In this example, each time zone is represented by a different angle, while the distance from the center represents the offset from UTC. By plotting the time zones, you can easily see the differences in time between different regions.

Steps to Create:

1. Enter your data into Excel, with the time zone names in one column and the offset from UTC in another.

2. Select the data and click on the “Insert” tab.

3. In the “Charts” group, click on the “Other Charts” button.

4. Select “Polar” from the dropdown menu.

5. Excel will automatically create a polar chart with your data.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: Can I customize the appearance of a polar chart in Excel 2013?

A: Yes, you can customize the appearance of a polar chart by right-clicking on the chart and selecting “Format Chart Area.” From here, you can change the chart’s color, font, and other visual elements.

Q: Can I add data labels to a polar chart in Excel 2013?

A: Yes, you can add data labels to a polar chart by right-clicking on the chart and selecting “Add Data Labels.” This will display the values for each data point on the chart.

Q: Can I add a trendline to a polar chart in Excel 2013?

A: No, Excel 2013 does not have the option to add trendlines to polar charts. However, you can manually calculate and plot a trendline on the chart if desired.

Q: Can I create a polar chart from non-numerical data in Excel 2013?

A: No, Excel 2013 requires numerical data to create a polar chart. If you have non-numerical data, you will need to convert it to a numerical format before creating the chart.

Q: Can I create a polar chart with multiple series in Excel 2013?

A: Yes, you can create a polar chart with multiple series by selecting the data for each series and following the steps outlined earlier. Each series will be represented by a different color or pattern on the chart.

Tags:

Polar chart, Excel 2013, data visualization, charts, graphs, cyclic data, temperature fluctuations, sales by region, survey results, wind direction, time zones