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How to Create a Chart Using Microsoft Excel

Using a chart or graph can really bring your research to life! Graphics allow the project observer to quickly comprehend your data. These instructions will teach you how to turn your raw data into an eye-catching graphic. Once you have your experiment results, you need to input the data into Microsoft Excel. Below is a simple example of turning data into a chart. Lets say you did an experiment to see if an egg would float in salt water. You used five containers of water and increased the salt content of each container until the egg floated. Your data table may look something like this (this is an example; it may not work in reality). For this example, we will assume the egg floated when 1.25 teaspoons of salt were added. Also, assume that the amount of water in each container was the same.

Amount of Salt Added .25 teaspoon 0.50 teaspoon 0.75 teaspoon 1.00 teaspoon 1.25 teaspoon

Container # 1 2 3 4 5

The observer can analyze your data by looking at your table. If you add a chart or graph, the observer can, at a glance, determine the results of your experiment. First begin in Excel by entering your data. Open Microsoft Excel. In Cell A1, enter Amount of Salt Added, and in Cell B1, enter Container #. Then, under each heading, type the number of the container and the

amount of salt. Your rows and columns should look similar to the one above. You can copy this chart into your research paper by dragging your cursor from Cell A1 to Cell B6 to highlight the area. Then, go to the Edit menu and select Copy. Next, insert your cursor into your research paper, go to the Edit menu and select Paste. Use the Microsoft Word Picture Toolbar to move your table within your document. Now, use the Chart Wizard to turn your data into a picture. In Excel, select the data to chart, including the row and column headings. Click on the Chart Wizard symbol (you will find this under the main Menu Bar).

In the Chart Type window that pops up, select the type of chart you would like to use to display your data. Pick a chart and then select and hold the press and hold to view sample dialog box to see what your chart will look like. If this is what you want, just click on Finish to create your chart.

You will need to change the Chart Title by clicking on the title in the graph/chart and typing a new name. Below are examples of a line chart and a bar chart.
Relatioinship of Salt in Water to Egg Buoyancy 6 5 4 3 2 1 0
te as po 0. on 75 te as po 1. on 00 te as po 1. on 25 te as po on as po on
6 5 4 Relatioinship of Salt in Water to Egg Buoyancy

Container #

3 2 1 0
on te as 0. po 75 on te as 1. po 00 on te as 1. po 25 on te as po on te as po

Container #

te .2 5

0. 50

0. 50

.2 5

To copy your charts into your research paper, just select a chart by clicking the mouse on the outside edges of the chart. Under the Edit menu, select Copy. Place your cursor in your research paper and select Paste from the Edit Menu. Then, treat it as a graphic and use the Microsoft Word Picture Menu Bar to move your graphic within your document. If you need further instructions or practice, or need to go more in depth to create more complicated charts and graphs, please refer to Microsofts website.

http://office.microsoft.com/training/training.aspx?AssetID=RC011055061033

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