Exploring PowerPoint Chart Possibilities

PowerPoint charts (p. xxx) can be as simple or as complex as you like. You can create a basic chart using the Microsoft Graph application from within PowerPoint or insert a chart you create using Microsoft Excel. You can choose from common chart types such as column, bar, line, or pie charts; try something out of the ordinary such as a doughnut or radar chart; or create a chart type of your own. PowerPoint charts are preformatted based on the attached design template, but you can also make extensive modifications to nearly every aspect of a chart if you like—its color, text, labels, and more.

In this chapter, you learn

• Chart terminology Before you create your first chart, learn the basics of chart object terminology including the meaning of terms such as plot area, axis, and data series.

• How to add a chart Adding a chart in PowerPoint can be done in two ways—by using Microsoft Graph from within PowerPoint or by inserting a Microsoft Excel chart.

• How to choose a chart type You need to choose from many different chart types such as column, bar, pie, and doughnut to determine which best suits the message you want to convey.

• How to enter data in a datasheet PowerPoint uses a datasheet to store a chart's actual data. A datasheet is similar to an Excel worksheet, and you enter information in it in much the same way as you would in a worksheet.

• How to format your chart After you create a basic chart, you may want to modify it by formatting its legend, axes, data labels, data table, and other objects.

• When to use trendlines If you want to predict the future based on your existing chart information, you can use a trendline.