How to Make School Comparison Graphs in Excel

1. How to Make School Comparison Graphs in Excel Please follow the instructions as closely as possible. When you get used to using Excel for this then feel free to be creative and try different things. Created by Arved Harding 11/1/05 aharding@voridian.com

2. How to Make Graphs in Excel • Set up the table as shown. • Be sure to include all the data you want. (This is a partial table for illustration and needs to include other schools.)

3. Page 1 of 9 • In Excel, select all the data to be included in the graph including the labels. (click and drag) • Next, click on the chart Wizard Icon in Excel or go to Insert in the Menu bar and choose chart. • Choose Chart type: Line • Choose the chart subtype you like. I prefer the first plot with point showing on it (in the 2nd row).

4. Page 2 of 9 • Click Next twice then add a chart title and type a name in the Value (Y) axis box such as Attendance for Attendance data. • Now click on the Legend tab

5. Page 3 of 9 • Click on the Show Legend box to uncheck it. • Click Next

6. Page 4 of 9 • Choose chart location As new sheet. Name it if you desire. • Then click Finish and Walla!

7. Page 5 of 9 Feel free to resize it or modify it.

8. Page 6 of 9 • To change the background color from gray to white (or something else) Right click in the gray area of the plot and choose Format Plot Area, then in the section labeled Area click on none.

9. Page 7 of 9 If you right click on a set of points like Maryville and click on format series you can modify the color of the points, lines etc. See next slide for a screen shot.

10. Page 8 of 9 • You can easily change the color, size and style of lines and markers in the Patterns tab.

11. Page 9 of 9 • To change the Y-axis, right-click on the axis are and choose format axis. • Then click on the Scale Tab and modify the axes.

12. We hope these instructions are useful to you.