Charts and Graphs in Excel

SCLS BrainSnack

April 25, 2008

Why Statistics?Statistics are powerful tools to:

– Report to your board– Support budget requests– Assist with building/space planning– Document library’s importance in community– Review staffing patterns– Compare yourself to other libraries (

http://dpi.wi.gov/pld/dm-lib-stat.html)

– Other?

Info Desk—Daily Statistics—Week of Sept. 14-20 Day: _____________

Date: _____________

Type of Ques. 9am-11am 11am-1pm 1pm-3pm 3pm-6pm 6pm-9pm

Reference

Directional

Online Catalog

Equipment

Assistance

Instruction

Some Type of Charts & Graphs

ColumnBar

LinePie

Column and Bar• Present data about 2 variables

• Rank size or importance of something over time

• A single data element over time

• Examples: – Circulation and year– Program attendance and year

Line

• Series of points, connected by a line

• Best suited for showing trends in multiple data elements over time

• Example:– Circulation by type of media over time

Pie

• Shows percentage values of one group of data as slices of pie.

• Examples: – Circulation to different types of patrons– Sources of funding

What chart when?

• There are many other types of charts!

• For more info see: – Wikipedia article (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chart)

– “Chart types” (from IBM) (http://tinyurl.com/5bcxx4)

– Strategic Planning for Results

Good Example of a Bad Chart

Source: http://lilt.ilstu.edu/gmklass/pos138/datadisplay/badchart.htm

Let’s Create a Chart

• Create a spreadsheet (or open an existing one)

• Formatting is key!– Especially with dates

• Be flexible

Step by Step

• Select numbers and labels

• Click on Insert and choose Chart

Step by Step

• Chart Wizard will guide you through the process

• Make sure Standard Types tab is selected

• Click the type of chart or graph – feel free to explore the various types

• To see a sample of your chart, click on the “Press and Hold to View Sample” button

Step by Step

Step by Step

• Once you’ve chosen a type of chart, click on Next

• Data Range should appear with your data source in the box

• Make sure the button in front of columns is marked – if needed for your chart

• Click on Next

Step by Step

Step by Step

• Create a title for your chart and explore other chart options– Axes: change the appearance of the X and Y

axis– Gridlines: increase or decrease the

appearance of gridlines– Legend: choose the location or remove the

legend– Data Labels: add more labels– Data table: adds the data for the chart

Step by Step

Step by Step

• Click on Next

• Select “As New Sheet” for your chart

• Give your chart a name

• Click on Finish

• Your graph or chart will appear on a separate worksheet within your spreadsheet

Step by Step

Step by Step

Step by Step

Want to know more?

• Ed2Go Courses– http://www.slis.wisc.edu/continueed/ed2go.html

• WebJunction Courses– www.webjunction.org

• Excel Help – right in the program• Books on Excel

– Some available through NetLibrary

• Microsoft Online Help– http://office.microsoft.com

Questions?

• Jean Andersonjfanders@scls.lib.wi.us

• Cheryl Beckercbecker@scls.lib.wi.us

Thank you!