84 Excel
Excel includes variations of each of these chart types. For example, the
column charts can display values across categories or the percentage that
each value contributes to the whole across categories. Many of the charts
can be displayed in 3D as well.
Most of the charts you’ll create in this book will be of the XY(scatter) type.
Other chart types, like stock charts, are designed for specifi c types of data
(like stock market data), and they are not as useful for general data analysis.
In addition, the StatPlus add-in included with this book gives you the capa-
bility of creating other types of charts not part of Excel’s library of built-in
charts. You’ll learn about these charts as you read through these chapters.
Excel charts are placed in workbooks in one of two ways: either as
embedded chart objects, which appear as objects within worksheets, or asBar A bar chart shows how data change over time or
between categories. Values are displayed horizontally,
categories vertically.
Line A line chart shows trends in data, spaced at equal
intervals. It can also be used to compare values
between groups.
Pie A pie chart shows the proportional size of items that
make up the whole. The chart is limited to one data
series.
Doughnut A doughnut chart, like the pie chart, shows the
proportional size of items relative to the whole; it can
also display more than one data series at a time.
Stock The stock chart is used to display stock market data,
including opening, closing, low, and high daily
values.
XY(Scatter) An XY(scatter) chart displays the relationship between
numeric values in several data series. The chart is
commonly used for scientifi c data and is also known
as a scatter plot.
Bubble A bubble chart is a type of scatter plot in which the size
of the bubbles is proportional to the value of a third
data series.
Radar A radar chart shows values from different categories
radiating from a center point. Lines connect the values
within each data series.
Surface A surface chart shows the value of a data series in
relation to the combination of the values of two
other data series. Surface charts are often used in
topographical maps.
Cone, Cylinder,
and Pyramid
Cone, cylinder, and pyramid charts are similar to
bar and column charts except that they use cones,
cylinders, and pyramids for the markers.