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Intro

In lesson 4 of the Microsoft Excel 2007 Beginner course, we will learn how to work with charts by creating and formatting different types such as column, pie, and line charts. I will show you how to change chart colors, labels, axes, and use effects, as well as move and copy charts to other sheets and create a summary dashboard. We will also cover inserting objects into charts, copying charts into Microsoft Word, and working with data tables, including using AutoFilter, table formulas, and table styles. This lesson builds on the skills from previous levels to help you gain confidence with Excel's basic chart and table features.

Transcript

Welcome to Excel 2007 Basic Level 4, brought to you by ExcelLearningZone.com. I am your instructor, Richard Rost.

Today's class is mostly about charts. We will talk about all the different kinds of charts: column charts, pie charts, and line charts. We will learn how to format them, change colors, change labels, change the axes, and move them around. We will copy them to different sheets, make a summary sheet (also called a dashboard), and work with different effects, styles, and templates. There are lots of different chart options in today's class. We will also work with data tables. We will learn what data tables are, how to use auto filtering, and, of course, table styles and themes.

This class is designed to be used with Excel 2007. 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 2003.

This class follows Excel 2007 Basic Level 3, and I do strongly recommend you take Basic Level 3 before taking this class. We covered styles and themes in Basic Level 3, which we will use today when working with charts and with data tables. Basic Level 3 also covers functions like SUM and AVERAGE, page layout, illustrations, and working with pictures and clip art. Those techniques, like working with pictures and clip art, will definitely help us when we are manipulating our charts.

So Basic Level 3 is a definite prerequisite before this class, Basic Level 4.

This is the Basic Level 4 course for Microsoft Excel 2007. This class is for the novice user who has little or no experience with Excel beyond my Level 1, 2, and 3 classes.

Our courses are broken up into four groups: Basic, Expert, Advanced, and Developer.

Our Basic courses are designed for novice users who have little or no experience with Microsoft Excel. You will learn one good method for accomplishing most tasks. We will save all the extraneous details for later classes.

Our Expert Series is designed for users who are already comfortable with Excel. Expert classes will teach you more about the standard features of Excel that most people use from day to day. We will cover all the options, alternatives, shortcuts, tips and tricks, and really cover all of the features of Excel exhaustively.

Our Advanced classes are designed to go beyond the expert level and teach you things like recording macros, working with user forms, creating your own templates, and more advanced features that not everyone uses, but they really add extra functionality to your spreadsheets. These are the kinds of features reserved for power users to really add extra professionalism to your spreadsheets.

Finally, our Developer Series is 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 and to integrate Excel tightly with other applications.

Each of our series is broken down into different levels. Each level represents about an hour's worth of training. For example, the Basic Series starts off with Level 1, then is followed by Level 2, 3, and so on. Each level will teach you new and different topics in Microsoft Excel, building on the lessons learned in the previous levels. When you are finished with all the levels in the Basic Series, you are ready to move up to the Expert Level Series.

Now let's take a more detailed look at exactly what is covered in today's class.

In Lesson 1, we are going to begin learning about charts. We will learn what a chart is, the different parts of a chart, and we will insert a 2D column chart into our spreadsheet.

In Lesson 2, we are continuing with charts. We will see how to add data to an existing chart, make a line chart, have a chart with multiple data series, and we will learn about chart styles and themes.

In Lesson 3, we are continuing with charts. We are going to see how to select non-contiguous data to chart different areas of a spreadsheet. We will make a 3D pie chart. We will see how to move a chart off a spreadsheet into its own sheet, change the chart layout, change the chart type, and create a 3D column chart.

In Lesson 4, we are going to learn how to switch the row and column axes, learn how to set the current selection, and formatting for that object. We will learn how to insert objects like pictures, shapes, and text boxes inside our charts, and we will learn how to format the different chart labels.

In Lesson 5, we are going to learn how to copy our Excel charts over into Microsoft Word to add them to a document. We will see how to make a summary sheet, which is the beginning of a dashboard, and we will learn how to separate individual pie slices in a pie chart.

In Lesson 6, we are going to learn about tables. We are going to learn what a table is and why you should use tables, table formulas, and how they are different from normal formulas, the AutoFilter command inside of a table, and how to create a total row.

If you need help with Microsoft Excel, you can post your questions in our student forums. If you are watching this course using our custom video player software or online in our theater, then you should see the student forums pop up right next to the video window. Here you will see all the questions and comments that other students have had regarding each lesson, as well as my responses to them. Feel free to join the discussion and post any questions that you may have.

To get the most out of this course, I recommend you sit back, relax, and watch each lesson through completely once without trying to do anything on your computer. Then watch the lesson again a second time, following along with my examples. Actually create the document that I create in class – build the spreadsheet along with me, step by step.

If you get stuck or do not understand something, rewatch the video again from the beginning or rewind to any point in the video at which you feel comfortable. Remember, you can always post your questions in the student forums if you really need help.

Most importantly, keep an open mind. Learning something new can be confusing at first. If there is something you do not understand at first, just be patient and it will come to you eventually. Try your best and, again, if you still have questions, post them in our student forums.

Now just sit back, relax, and get ready for Lesson 1.

Quiz

Q1. What is the primary focus of Excel 2007 Basic Level 4?
A. Macros and programming in Excel
B. Creating and formatting charts and working with data tables
C. Advanced financial functions
D. Importing data from external sources

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

Q3. What is one technique discussed for customizing charts in Excel 2007 Basic Level 4?
A. Changing colors and labels
B. Using pivot tables
C. Creating dynamic dashboards automatically
D. Encrypting spreadsheet data

Q4. What is a summary sheet also referred to as in the course?
A. Chart overview
B. Dashboard
C. Pivot sheet
D. Report panel

Q5. Which previous course is recommended as a prerequisite for taking Excel 2007 Basic Level 4?
A. Basic Level 1
B. Expert Level 1
C. Basic Level 3
D. Advanced Series

Q6. What feature of data tables will be covered in the class?
A. How to create macros from a table
B. The AutoFilter command
C. Data validation in tables
D. Web scraping table data

Q7. How are the courses at ExcelLearningZone.com organized?
A. Random order
B. By difficulty: Basic, Expert, Advanced, Developer
C. By color coding
D. By number of lessons

Q8. Who are the Basic courses intended for?
A. Expert users only
B. Novice users with little or no experience
C. Professional programmers
D. Business analysts

Q9. What is the recommended method for getting the most out of the video lessons?
A. Only read the transcripts
B. Watch the lesson once then follow along a second time, creating the sample document
C. Skip to the end and do the quiz first
D. Memorize all charts by heart

Q10. What does the Developer Series teach?
A. Advanced statistics
B. How to program in Visual Basic for Applications with Excel
C. Data protection
D. Importing PDF files into Excel

Q11. Which suggestion is given if you do not understand something during the lesson?
A. Skip the section
B. Reread the course manual only
C. Rewatch the video or use student forums for help
D. Wait for the next course

Q12. In Lesson 4, what is one of the skills taught?
A. Creating Python scripts
B. Formatting different chart labels and inserting objects like pictures and text boxes into charts
C. Building Access databases
D. Installing Excel add-ins

Q13. What is the purpose of the student forums mentioned in the video?
A. To sell additional courses
B. To post questions and participate in class discussions
C. To apply for certification
D. To submit assignments for grading

Answers: 1-B; 2-C; 3-A; 4-B; 5-C; 6-B; 7-B; 8-B; 9-B; 10-B; 11-C; 12-B; 13-B

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 focuses on Excel 2007 Basic Level 4, where we will talk about a wide range of charting options and working with data tables in Excel 2007. My name is Richard Rost, and in this lesson I will be your guide as we explore the world of Excel charts and tables, helping you take your spreadsheet skills to the next level.

The primary emphasis of this class is on charts. I will explain the various types of charts that you can use, including column charts, pie charts, and line charts. We will go through the steps for formatting your charts, changing their colors, editing the labels and axes, and relocating charts within your spreadsheet. You will also learn how to copy charts from one sheet to another, create a summary sheet, sometimes referred to as a dashboard, and utilize chart effects, styles, and templates to enhance the appearance of your data.

In addition to charts, we will spend time working with data tables. I will show you what data tables are and how they function in Excel. We will cover auto filtering, using and customizing table styles, and applying themes to make your tables consistent and visually appealing.

This class is specifically tailored for Excel 2007. If you are working with an earlier version of Excel, I recommend checking for my tutorials on older versions like Excel 2000 through 2003 on the Excel Learning Zone website.

My recommendation is that you complete Excel 2007 Basic Level 3 before starting this lesson, since Level 3 covers important foundational concepts such as styles, themes, and some basic functions like SUM and AVERAGE. Those previous lessons also discuss page layout, adding illustrations, and working with pictures and clip art, tools that are beneficial when you start manipulating and formatting charts in Excel.

To give you a sense of where you are in the learning path, this is the fourth level in the Basic series for Excel 2007. The Basic series is meant for those who are new to Excel and want to grasp the fundamental skills, building on knowledge from Levels 1, 2, and 3.

Our Excel courses are divided into four categories: Basic, Expert, Advanced, and Developer. Basic courses provide straightforward solutions appropriate for beginners without overwhelming you with extra information. If you are more experienced, the Expert Series offers in-depth exploration of Excel's many features, alternatives, and time-saving tips. Advanced classes go further, introducing topics like recording macros and building your own templates for more complex tasks. The Developer Series covers programming in Visual Basic for Applications, allowing you to create custom Excel solutions and integrate Excel with other programs.

Each series contains different levels, with each level comprising about an hour of training on new topics, building on the lessons that came before it. Once you master all levels in the Basic Series, you will be prepared to move up to the Expert level.

Now let me walk you through what we will do, lesson by lesson:

In Lesson 1, we will define what charts are, review their different parts, and insert a basic two-dimensional column chart into a spreadsheet.

In Lesson 2, the focus is on expanding your chart skills. We will see how to add new data to existing charts, create line charts, work with multiple data series, and apply chart styles and themes.

Lesson 3 is about working with non-contiguous data, so you can chart data from scattered locations in your spreadsheet. We will also create a three-dimensional pie chart, learn how to move a chart to its own dedicated sheet, experiment with different chart layouts and types, and try out a three-dimensional column chart.

Lesson 4 covers how to switch the chart's axes between rows and columns, set and format the current chart selection, and insert additional objects like pictures, shapes, and text boxes within your chart. We will also practice formatting the various labels that appear in your charts.

Lesson 5 addresses exporting your charts to other programs, such as Microsoft Word, to enhance your documents. We will create a summary sheet to begin building a dashboard view in Excel, and I will show you how to separate individual slices in a pie chart for greater emphasis.

In Lesson 6, we change gears and focus on Excel tables. We will look at why tables are advantageous, how table formulas can differ from regular Excel formulas, make use of the AutoFilter command within a table, and learn how to generate a total row at the end of your table.

If you run into questions as you progress through the lessons, you can post them in our student forums. When you are using our custom video player or accessing the course online, the forum will usually appear alongside the video, showing you comments and questions from other students along with my answers. You are welcome to participate and ask your own questions at any time.

To get the best experience from this course, I recommend that you first watch each lesson all the way through before trying anything on your own computer. After the initial viewing, try watching the lesson again and follow along step by step as I build the spreadsheets in class. This hands-on practice will really help solidify your learning.

If you run into a sticking point or do not understand a particular step, feel free to review the video as many times as needed. The student forums are available if you need extra assistance or clarification.

Most importantly, keep a positive attitude and remember that learning new skills often takes time and patience. If something does not make sense right away, give it time and revisit the lesson. The student forums are always there if you need additional help.

Now, let's get started with Lesson 1 together.

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

Types of Excel charts: column, pie, and line charts
Inserting a 2D column chart
Identifying chart parts and elements
Adding data to an existing chart
Creating a line chart
Using multiple data series in a chart
Applying chart styles and themes
Selecting non-contiguous data for charts
Creating a 3D pie chart
Moving a chart to its own sheet
Changing chart layout and chart type
Creating a 3D column chart
Switching chart row and column axes
Setting current selection and object formatting
Inserting pictures, shapes, and text boxes in charts
Formatting chart labels
Copying Excel charts into Microsoft Word
Creating a summary sheet or dashboard
Separating pie slices in a pie chart
Understanding and creating Excel tables
Using table formulas vs. normal formulas
Using the AutoFilter command in tables
Creating a total row in a table