Introduction

Welcome! Charts & Data Tables Basics

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Welcome to Excel Beginner Level 4. In this course we will focus on working with charts in Microsoft Excel, including column charts, pie charts, line charts, and some 3D chart features. We will cover how to insert and format charts, adjust chart properties, add legends, labels, and data tables, and move charts within your workbook. We will also discuss how to work with data tables, use styles and themes, and insert charts into Word documents. This class builds on previous beginner levels and is designed for users who have completed Levels 1, 2, and 3.

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Keywords

TechHelp Excel, Excel 2010 charts, Excel 2010 column chart, Excel 2010 pie chart, Excel 2010 line chart, Excel 2010 3D charts, Excel 2010 data tables, chart formatting, Excel chart styles, Excel chart axes, Excel chart legends, Excel filter sort tables

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Transcript

Welcome to Excel 2010 Beginner Level 4 brought to you by ExcelLearningZone.com. I am your instructor, Richard Rost.

Today's class is mostly about charts. We will learn many different kinds of charts, including column charts, pie charts, and line charts. We will learn about some 3D charts. We will learn how to work with charts, move them around, and adjust some of their properties. We will learn how to format charts, change colors, and change axes. We will learn how to add legends and data labels and data tables. There are all kinds of different things we can do with charts.

We will also learn how to work today with data tables, where you can set up your data in a database-like format for consistent data entry and automatic copying of your formulas, and lots more.

This class is designed to be used with Excel 2010, a part of Microsoft Office 2010. If you are using an older version of Excel, you should visit my website at ExcelLearningZone.com and look for my older tutorials covering Excel 2000 through 2007. If you are using Excel 2007, you should have little difficulty following along as most of the topics in this course are the same in 2007.

But if you are using Excel 2003 or earlier, you really should either upgrade to Excel 2010 or purchase a tutorial for your version of Excel, which again you can find on my website.

This class follows Excel 2010 Beginner Level 3, which I do strongly recommend that you take before taking this course. Beginner Level 3 teaches you functions, including sum, average, max, and min, and we will be using some functions today when we set up our data tables. We also learn styles and themes in Beginner Level 3, and styles and themes are also important and will come into play today when we work with our charts and also our data tables. Beginner Level 3 also covers page layout, illustrations, pictures, clip art, and lots more. So again, I strongly recommend you take Beginner Level 3 before taking this class.

This is the Beginner Level 4 course for Excel 2010. This class is for the novice user who has little or no experience with Excel outside of my Levels 1, 2, and 3 courses. In today's course, we will cover additional topics building on the lessons from the first three classes.

My courses are broken up into four groups: Beginner, Expert, Advanced, and Developer. My Beginner courses are for novice users who have little or no experience with Microsoft Excel. They are designed to give you an overview of the basic features of Excel and cover just what you need to know to be productive.

When you finish the basics, it is time to move up to the Expert series, which is designed for users who are already comfortable with Excel. Expert classes are designed to teach you more about all the standard features of Excel that people use from day to day, and will go into more depth about each topic than the Beginner classes. You will learn all about the options, alternatives, shortcuts, tips and tricks, and extra features that we might have skipped over in the Beginner lessons.

When you have mastered the Expert classes, the Advanced lessons are for Excel Power Users. You will learn how to record macros, build user forms, create your own templates, and many more advanced features that not everyone will use, but they really add enhanced functionality and professionalism to your spreadsheets.

Finally, my Developer level courses are designed to teach you how to program in Visual Basic for Applications with Microsoft Excel. This will allow you to create Excel-based programs for your users, automate your spreadsheets, and to integrate Excel tightly with other Microsoft Office applications.

Each of my series is broken down into different levels. For example, the Beginner series starts with Levels 1, 2, and 3, which you should have taken previously, and is followed by Level 4, which is this class, followed by 5. Each level teaches you new and different topics in Microsoft Excel, building on the lessons learned in the previous levels. When you have finished all the Beginner classes, move up to the Expert series, then Advanced, and finally, Developer.

Now let's take a more detailed look at exactly what we are going to cover in today's class.

In Lesson 1, we are going to begin learning about charts. We are going to learn what a chart is, what they are used for, we will learn about the different parts of a chart, and we will see how to insert a column chart into our spreadsheets.

In Lesson 2, we are continuing with charts. We will learn how to add data to an existing chart, how to create a line chart, how to work with charts that have multiple series, and how to quickly change the look and feel of our charts using chart styles and themes.

In Lesson 3, we will learn how to chart non-contiguous data, we will create a 3D pie chart, we will learn how to move a chart to a different sheet, we will learn how to change chart layout and the chart type, and we will create some 3D column charts.

In Lesson 4, we will learn how to switch the row and column axes, we will learn how to change the current selection and adjust the current formatting of that selected object, we will learn how to insert objects like pictures and shapes and text boxes inside of our charts, and we will learn how to adjust all the different chart labels.

In Lesson 5, we are going to learn how to insert our Microsoft Excel charts into a Microsoft Word document, so if you have a document that you are working on, you can include your Excel charts. We are going to build a summary sheet where you can see multiple charts at once from various pages in your workbook all on the same summary sheet or dashboard, and we are going to learn how to separate a pie slice from the rest of the pie.

In Lesson 6, we are going to learn about tables. We will learn what tables are and what they are used for, we will learn about the benefits of tables, we will see how to insert table formulas and how they are different from standard formulas, we will learn about filtering and sorting data inside of our tables, and we will learn how to turn on a total row.

If you need help with the topics covered in today's lessons, please feel free to post your questions in the Excel Interactive Student forums. If you are watching this course using my custom video player software or online in my web theater, you should see the student forum for each lesson appear in a small window next to the class videos if you have an active internet connection.

Here, you will see all of the questions that other students have asked, as well as my responses to them, and any other comments that other students have made. I encourage you to read through these questions and answers as you start each lesson and feel free to post your own questions and comments as well.

If you are not watching your lessons online, you can still visit the student forums later by visiting excellearningzone.com/forums.

To get the most out of this course, I recommend you sit back, relax, and watch each lesson completely through once without trying to do anything on your computer. Then replay the lesson from the beginning and follow along with my examples. Actually create the same spreadsheet that I make in the video. Build a spreadsheet with me step by step.

Do not try to apply what you are learning right now to other projects until you have mastered the sample spreadsheet.

If you get stuck or do not understand something, watch the video again from the beginning or tell me what is wrong in the student forums.

Most importantly, keep an open mind. Excel might seem intimidating at first, but once you get the hang of it, you will see that it is really easy to use.

Intro

Quiz

Q1. What is one of the main topics covered in this class?
A. Creating and formatting charts
B. Advanced Pivot Table design
C. Writing Visual Basic code for macros
D. Using Access databases with Excel

Q2. Which of the following is NOT mentioned as a type of chart covered in this course?
A. Column chart
B. Pie chart
C. Gantt chart
D. Line chart

Q3. What is one benefit of using data tables in Excel, according to the lesson?
A. Data tables provide consistent data entry and automatic formula copying
B. Data tables allow you to record macros easily
C. Data tables are only for Advanced users
D. Data tables are used to create printable calendars

Q4. What should a student do if they are using Excel 2003 or earlier?
A. Upgrade to a newer version or purchase a tutorial specific to their version
B. Continue using the same tutorial without any issues
C. Avoid using charts entirely
D. Learn Microsoft Word first

Q5. Which of the following is recommended before taking this class?
A. Completing Beginner Levels 1, 2, and 3
B. Skipping directly to Advanced courses
C. Knowing Microsoft Access
D. Being experienced in macro writing

Q6. What group comes immediately after the Beginner series in the sequence of courses?
A. Expert
B. Advanced
C. Developer
D. Master

Q7. What is covered in Lesson 5 of this course?
A. Inserting Excel charts into Microsoft Word documents
B. Building custom functions with VBA
C. Creating pivot tables
D. Querying SQL databases

Q8. Which feature allows you to change the look and feel of your chart quickly?
A. Chart styles and themes
B. Page layout view
C. Conditional formatting only
D. Filter tool

Q9. If you need help or have questions about a lesson, what should you do?
A. Post your questions in the Excel Interactive Student forums
B. Only ask questions at the end of the entire course
C. Email your instructor directly without visiting the forums
D. Skip the topic

Q10. What is one major advantage of watching each lesson completely before trying it yourself?
A. You gain an overview before following along and practicing
B. You will not need to try the examples yourself
C. It replaces the need for all other learning resources
D. You can skip the forums

Q11. What is the recommended approach before applying what you are learning to real projects?
A. Master the sample spreadsheet first
B. Apply lessons to real data immediately
C. Only watch, never practice
D. Use unrelated software

Q12. What important advice does the instructor give about Excel at the end of the introductory lesson?
A. Keep an open mind, as Excel will get easier with practice
B. Only use Excel for large businesses
C. Do not use charts
D. Memorize every function before starting

Answers: 1-A; 2-C; 3-A; 4-A; 5-A; 6-A; 7-A; 8-A; 9-A; 10-A; 11-A; 12-A

DISCLAIMER: Quiz questions are AI generated. If you find any that are wrong, don't make sense, or aren't related to the video topic at hand, then please post a comment and let me know. Thanks.

Summary

Today's video from Excel Learning Zone is Excel 2010 Beginner Level 4. I'm Richard Rost, and in this lesson, we are going to focus mainly on charts. We will explore the different kinds of charts that Excel offers, such as column, pie, and line charts, including a look at 3D chart options. I will walk you through how to work with charts, including moving them, adjusting their properties, formatting them, changing colors and axes, and adding elements like legends, data labels, and data tables. Charts have so many features, and I want to make sure you feel comfortable using them.

We'll also take a look at data tables in Excel. I'll show you how to arrange your data in a table format which makes consistent data entry much easier and allows for automatic copying of your formulas. There are many benefits to using tables, and we'll cover those as well.

This class is geared specifically for Excel 2010, which is part of Microsoft Office 2010. If you're using an older version, I recommend visiting my website to find tutorials specific to Excel 2000 through 2007. Most of the material in this class will also apply to Excel 2007 with very few differences. However, if you are using Excel 2003 or earlier, I strongly suggest either upgrading to Excel 2010 or finding a course that matches your version, which you can also find on my website.

Excel 2010 Beginner Level 4 builds directly on Level 3, so I highly recommend that you finish Level 3 before starting this one. Level 3 covers important topics like functions, including sum, average, max, and min, which we will use today when working with data tables. It also introduces styles and themes, which are useful both for charts and for tables, and covers topics like page layout, illustrations, pictures, and clip art. Having a good grasp of Level 3 will help you get the most out of this class.

This class is intended for new Excel users and assumes you've taken Levels 1 through 3. We'll continue adding to the foundation you've built in the earlier lessons and introduce some new tools and techniques.

My courses are organized into four levels: Beginner, Expert, Advanced, and Developer. The Beginner classes are for those just starting out and will give you a broad overview of the fundamental features of Excel to help you become productive with it. Once you master the basics, the Expert series is available for those who are already comfortable in Excel and want to take their skills up a notch. The Expert lessons cover more details, options, shortcuts, tips, and advanced features that build on the basics.

If you want to work even more efficiently in Excel, the Advanced lessons are for power users. In that level, we cover recording macros, creating user forms, designing custom templates, and much more. These features add a lot of professional polish and functionality to your spreadsheets.

Finally, the Developer series explores programming in Visual Basic for Applications (VBA). In those lessons, you will learn how to automate tasks in Excel, develop custom applications, and integrate Excel with the other Microsoft Office programs.

Each series is divided into levels. The Beginner series, which starts with Levels 1, 2, and 3, leads into this Level 4 class and then continues with Level 5. Every step builds on concepts from the previous levels, so it's important to follow them in order.

Let me give you an outline of what we will cover in this Level 4 course:

In Lesson 1, we'll begin learning about charts. We'll talk about what they are, their components, how they are used, and you'll see how to insert a column chart into your worksheet.

In Lesson 2, we'll move further into charts, learning how to add data to an existing chart, create a line chart, work with multi-series charts, and use chart styles and themes to quickly update your chart's appearance.

Lesson 3 will show you how to chart data that is not contiguous, create a 3D pie chart, move a chart between sheets, adjust layouts and chart types, and create some 3D column charts.

In Lesson 4, you'll learn how to switch rows and columns on the axes, make selections within charts, format specific chart objects, insert pictures, shapes, and text boxes into your charts, and adjust various chart labels.

Lesson 5 covers inserting Excel charts into Word documents. We'll also discuss building a summary sheet that brings multiple charts together on a single dashboard, and how to separate a slice of a pie chart from the rest.

In Lesson 6, we will focus on tables. You'll learn exactly what tables are, when to use them, and the benefits they provide. I'll show you how table formulas work (and how they differ from normal formulas), and we will look at filtering and sorting data in tables, as well as activating the total row.

If you have any questions about the material we cover, remember that you can use the Excel Interactive Student forums. If you're watching the course in my video player or online, the forum should appear next to the lesson videos, where you can view questions and answers from me or other students. I encourage you to read through these discussions as you go and post your own questions or comments.

If you're not taking the course online, you can still access the forums later by visiting excellearningzone.com/forums.

To really absorb the material, I recommend that you first watch each lesson all the way through without trying to copy anything on your computer. Once you've seen the lesson, replay it and follow along, creating the same spreadsheets I make in the videos. Build them step by step with me.

Do not rush to use these techniques in your own projects until you feel comfortable with the sample exercises. If you get stuck or something is unclear, watch the lesson again or ask for help in the forums.

Most importantly, remember to keep an open mind. Excel might look complicated at first, but once you understand the tools, you will see that it's actually quite simple to use.

You can find a complete video tutorial with step-by-step instructions on everything discussed here on my website at the link below. Live long and prosper, my friends.

Topic List

What is a chart and what are charts used for
Parts of a chart
Inserting a column chart
Adding data to an existing chart
Creating a line chart
Working with multiple series in charts
Changing chart styles and themes
Charting non-contiguous data
Creating a 3D pie chart
Moving a chart to a different sheet
Changing chart layout and chart type
Creating 3D column charts
Switching row and column axes in a chart
Changing current selection and formatting in charts
Inserting pictures, shapes, and text boxes in charts
Adjusting chart labels
Inserting Excel charts into a Word document
Building a chart summary sheet or dashboard
Separating a pie slice in a pie chart
What is a table and what are tables used for
Benefits of tables
Inserting table formulas versus standard formulas
Filtering and sorting data in tables
Turning on a total row in tables

Article

Welcome to this beginner-level tutorial where we focus on using charts and tables in Microsoft Excel. Charts are powerful tools that let you create a visual representation of your data, which makes it much easier to spot trends, compare values, and highlight important information. In this article, I will walk you through how to use the most common chart types, how to customize and format them, and how to get started with data tables to keep your information organized.

First, let's talk about what a chart is. In Excel, a chart is a graphic that represents your spreadsheet data visually. For example, if you have a list of sales numbers for several products, a chart will help you see which products perform best at a glance. The most common chart types include column charts, pie charts, and line charts. A column chart uses vertical bars to compare values, a pie chart shows parts of a whole as slices of a circle, and a line chart connects points with lines to display trends over time.

To insert a chart, first select the data you want to visualize. For example, suppose you have a spreadsheet where column A lists products and column B lists sales numbers. Highlight your data, go to the Insert tab, and choose the chart type that fits your data. A column chart works well for comparing product sales, while a pie chart is better for showing the percentage each product contributes to total sales.

Once your chart is inserted, you can customize it in many ways. You can move the chart to another spot on your worksheet, resize it, and edit the title to make it clear what your chart displays. You can also format the chart's colors, styles, and apply themes. Excel provides a variety of chart styles and color schemes so you can match the look of your chart to your report or presentation. Furthermore, you can adjust the axes, add or remove gridlines, and show or hide legends that explain what each color or pattern represents.

You might want to add data labels to display the exact value of each piece of data directly on the chart. This is useful for emphasizing specific points, like the highest or lowest values. You can also add a data table below the chart so viewers can see the underlying numbers at a glance.

Often, you will need to update your chart by adding more data or changing the data it displays. Select the chart and use the chart tools provided by Excel to change the range of data. If you want to show multiple series of data on one chart, such as monthly sales for several years, you can add more columns to your data range and Excel will plot each series in a different color.

Excel also lets you create 3D versions of most chart types. For example, a 3D column chart can add depth to your presentation, though keep in mind that too many 3D effects can make a chart harder to read. Use these options when you want your chart to stand out, but always prioritize readability.

Sometimes, your data is not all together in one block. You may need to chart non-contiguous data, meaning data from cells that are not next to each other. To do this, hold down the Control key while selecting each range before inserting your chart. This way, you can visualize just the data you need.

Once you have a chart, you can move it onto a separate sheet for a larger view. Excel allows you to move any chart to its own page, which is helpful when you want to print the chart by itself or display it for a presentation. You can also quickly change the chart type or layout if you want to see your data in a different way.

To further customize your charts, you can switch the row and column axes. For example, if your rows and columns are reversed, you can fix the chart's orientation with one click. You can also highlight any element of the chart, like a data series or axis, and adjust its specific formatting. Excel also supports inserting objects like pictures, shapes, or text boxes directly into your chart for extra notes or decoration.

If you need to use your Excel chart in a Word document, Excel makes it easy to copy and paste the chart. You can maintain the formatting and even link the chart so that updates in Excel automatically appear in Word.

For more complex documents, you can create a summary sheet or dashboard in Excel containing multiple charts from different sheets. This gives you an overview of your most important data in one place. When working with pie charts, you can pull one slice out to highlight it. This draws your audience's attention to the most important part of your data.

Besides charts, this tutorial covers tables in Excel. Tables help you organize your spreadsheet like a database, making data entry more consistent and formulas easier to manage. When you convert a range of data to a table, Excel automatically formats it, adds filter controls to the column heads, and lets you sort or filter your data with just a click.

Tables make it simple to add total rows, which quickly summarize your data by showing sums, averages, or counts. Table formulas also adjust automatically as you add or remove rows, saving time and reducing errors. For example, if you enter a formula in one row, Excel will automatically copy it down to the rest of the table.

To make the most out of learning these Excel features, I suggest first watching or reading through the instructions without doing anything on your computer. Then try building your own spreadsheet step by step, following the examples provided. As you get comfortable, experiment with your own data, charts, and tables.

If you ever have questions or run into difficulty, Excel provides an interactive support forum where you can ask questions and read answers from other users and instructors. This is a great way to get help and share ideas with others learning Excel.

Keep practicing and do not be afraid to try new features. Excel is a powerful tool, and mastering charts and tables will help you present your data clearly, make better decisions, and impress your audience. With a little practice, you will find that working with charts and tables in Excel is both easy and enjoyable.

Primary Topics

chart creation, chart formatting, chart types, data tables, data table features, data labels, chart customization

Secondary Topics

moving charts between sheets, inserting charts into Word, filtering and sorting tables, 3D charts, styles and themes