Chapter 21. Turning Data into Charts

In this chapter

Every Picture Tells a Story 670

Anatomy of an Excel Chart 670

Using the Chart Wizard for Quick Results 675

Selecting Data to Plot 677

Selecting and Customizing a Chart Type 679

Editing and Formatting Chart Elements 687

Extra Credit: Creating a Custom Chart Library 694

Every Picture Tells a Story

For years, writers and illustrators have been trying to figure out the precise exchange rate between pictures and words. The standard made famous by the old aphorism, of course, is a thousand words per picture. But if you can replace even a hundred words of tangled, technical prose with a compelling visual image, you’ve made a great exchange.

Sometimes a chart doesn’t need to replace any words at all. ...

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