Graphing Data in Excel

Directions:

  1. Click on the Windows icon in the lower left corner and then ‘All Programs’ and then ‘Microsoft Office’ and then ‘MicrosoftOfficeExcel 2010’ to open the program.
  2. Once Excel opens and a new document appears begin entering your data. Start by typing ‘Name’ in column ‘A’, line ‘1’.
  3. In column ‘B’, line ‘1’ type ‘Actual Data’.
  4. In column ‘C’, line ‘1’ type ‘Difference’.
  5. Click on column A and drag over to column C holding the mouse button down so that all three columns are highlighted.
  6. Along the top menu bar look for where it says ‘Cells’ and then click on the word ‘Format’ right above that. Go up the menu to ‘Column Width’ and click.
  7. In the box that appears labeled ‘Column Width’ type 25 and click ‘OK’.
  8. Click on the ‘1’ in the upper left hand corner of the page so that the entire row 1 is highlighted.
  9. Click on the ‘B’ in the menu bar to make the three column labels you have created turn to bold print.
  10. Click on ‘Insert’ and then look on the menu for ‘Header & Footer’ and click.
  11. In the box that appears type ‘Group # __ - Name of Event’ such as ‘Group #1 – Paper Plate Discus’
  12. Click on column A, Line 2 enter the first name of one participant in your group. Continue this process adding the next name from your group in column A, line 3, then column ‘A’ line 4, etc. until all group members names have been entered.
  13. In column ‘B’ on line 2 enter the first group member’s actual data from the event and then each of the following group member’s data on the appropriate line until each members actual performance data appears to the right of their name.
  14. In column ‘C’ on line 2 enter the group member’s difference from their prediction to their actual performance. Repeat this process with the remaining group members until all group members’ have their differences listed to the right of their names.
  15. Click on ‘Home’ along the main menu bar at the top. Click on the ‘A’ of Column A so that the entire column is highlighted. Then click on the icon to center the data in the column.
  16. Do the same for column B and column C.

Continues on Back

Now that your group’s data has been entered for this event, you are ready to create a graph displaying this data.

  1. Click on column ‘A’, line 1 and drag down to the right with the mouse until all data is highlighted.
  2. Click on ‘Insert’ along the top menu bar and then ‘Column’ and then select the first one in the upper left hand corner under ‘2-D Column’.
  3. A column graph should appear with the names of each of your group members and two bars for each – their performance and their difference.
  4. The graph is probably on top of your data table so we need to move it. Place the cursor over the graph until the four arrow icon appears. Then click and drag the graph down and center it under the data table and release. If it is not located where you want, you can repeat the process and move it.
  5. Click on ‘View’ in the top menu bar and then click on ‘Page Layout’ on the far left end of the menu.
  6. Check your page to see that it has:
  7. A title (Group # 1 – Paper Plate Discus)
  8. A chart containing your group members names, data, and differences
  9. A graph showing this data
  10. If all of these items are present then click on the round logo in the top left corner of the screen and drag down to ‘Print’ and make sure that the correct printer is selected.
  11. If time permits, feel free to explore with other charts displaying your data or with the options within each chart.

For an additional challenge or activity use the NationalCenter for Education Statistics – Create a Graph website to create and display other graphs.