Presenting information in a chart can be a very effective way of communicating numerical data that otherwise might be too confusing or complicated. Since most people are highly visual, a chart added to text can really catch the audience's attention and help to inform and persuade them more thoroughly.

The Chart Wizard shows each step along the path from entering raw data to completing a graph. You can transform numbers into graphs, illustrating the power of visually oriented information to strengthen presentations.

TO USE THE CHART WIZARD

1. Open the Grade Book workbook.

2. Select the test data in the Grade Book worksheet, including the headings and student numbers, but not the main title or totals (cells B8 through F13).

3. On the Standard toolbar, click Chart Wizard.

4. On the Standard Types tab, in Chart type, click Column.

5. In Chart sub-type, click Clustered column with a 3-D visual effect.

6. Click Press and hold to view sample to see a sample of your data in the clustered column 3-D format.

7. Click Next twice.

8. In the Titles tab, in Chart title, type Test Grades.

9. In the Category (X) axis, type Student Numbers.

10. In the Value (Z) axis, type Points. (The Z-axis title is available but the Y-axis is not, because it extends back into the chart.)

11. Click the Gridlines tab to select type of lines to show on your graph.

12. In Category (X) axis, clear the Major gridlines check box.

13. In Value (Z) axis, select Major gridlines.

14. To move the legend to the bottom, on the Legend tab, click Bottom.

15. Click Next for Chart Location.

16. Click As new sheet.

17. Click Finish to complete the chart process.

Attaching the graph as a new worksheet makes it easier to print a chart. You now have a readable and easy-to-understand chart. Attaching the chart as an object has the advantage of providing an immediate view of changes to the chart as you change the data.

ENHANCING CHART TITLES

Rotating the Z-axis title gives the chart more room. The main graph title is easier to read with a larger font size. Here's how to change them.

Rotate Z-Axis Titles and Enlarge Chart Titles

1. In the chart from the previous activity, click the chart title (Test Grades).

2. On the Formatting toolbar, change the font size to 20 point.

3. Right-click the Z-axis title (Points).

4. Click the Format Axis Title dialog box.

5. On the Alignment tab, click the text line, and drag it up to the top of the semicircle to 90 degrees.

6. Click the Font tab and then change the font to bold and 14-point.

7. Click OK.

8. Right-click the X-axis title (Student Numbers).

9. Click Format Axis Title.

10. Click the Font tab and then change the font to bold and 20-point.

11. Click OK.

CHANGING COLORS OF DATA BARS

You can also change the data bar colors to enhance your chart or to draw attention to information. Perhaps you want to draw attention to the most recent test so students can easily compare this score with previous test scores.

To Add Colors To Enhance Data Bars

1. Right-click the first data bar.

2. Click Format Data Series.

3. On the Patterns tab, click Dark Green in the fourth row.

4.  Click OK.

5. Right-click the second data bar and change the color to Dark Blue.

6. Right-click the last data bar and change the color to Yellow. The brighter color in the last bar calls attention to that bar.

ROTATING CHARTS

Sometimes it is easier to understand a chart if it is viewed in 3-D. Using Excel 2000 you can modify your chart to show it from any view—top, bottom, right, left--or you can create 3-D charts.

Rotate A Chart

1. Right-click in the center of the chart.

2. Click 3-D View.

3. In the Elevation dialog box, type 15.

4. In the Rotation dialog box, type 40.

5. Click the Auto scaling and the Right angle axes boxes.

6. Click Apply.

7. Click OK, and save your work.