Types of graphs/charts used in Excel

Types of graphs/charts used in Excel

Graphic Tables

Column charts

A column chart demonstrates how data varies over a period of time. It also illustrates comparisons among different items.

Sub-types:

·Clustered Column. – This model of chart compares values through different categories and it is also accessible with a 3-D visual effect.

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·Stacked Column. - This type of chart compares the contribution of each value to a total, using categories. It also displays the association of individual items to the whole.

·100% Stacked Column.-This chart type makes a comparison between the percentage that each value contributes to a total, employing categories.

·3-D Column. - This chart model compares data points throughout two axes.

     

Bar Charts

A bar chart is used to illustrate comparisons among individual items.

Sub-types:

·Clustered Bar.-This chart type compares values across categories.

·Stacked Bar.-This model of chart demonstrates the relationship of individual items to the whole.

·100 % Stacked Bar.-This chart type compares the percentage that each value contributes to a total, throughout categories.

Line Charts

A line chart exhibits trends in data at even intervals.

Sub-types:

·Line.-This kind of chart shows trends across categories or time.

·Stacked Line.-This chart model demonstrates the trend of the contribution of each value over time or categories.

·100% Stacked Line. - This chart type demonstrates the trend of each value’s contribution rate throughout categories or time.

·3-D Line. - This is a chart with a 3-D visual effect.

Pie charts

The pie chart illustrates the size of items that constitute a data series. It is proportional to the sum of items.

Sub-types:

·Pie. - This chart type shows the contribution made by each value to a total.

·Exploded Pie. - This chart model demonstrates the contribution made by each value to a total while accentuating individual values.

·Pie of Pie. - This is a chart with user-defined values removed and associated into a second pie.

·Bar of Pie. – This is a chart with user-defined values removed and associated into a stacked bar.

XY Scatter Charts

A xy chart illustrates the relationship between numeric values in data series. This chart type is commonly used for calculating scientific data.

Sub-types:

·Scatter. - This chart model compares pairs of values. In order to arrange data in this kind of chart, you have to locate the x values in one row and later you enter the matching y values in the row situated next to the x values’ row.

·Scatter with Data Points Connected by Lines.- This kind of chart can be illustrated with or without straight associating lines between data points.

Area Charts

An area chart accentuates the magnitude of change throughout time.

Sub-types:

·Area. - This chart type shows the trend of values across time or categories. It also displays the relationship of parts to a whole.

·Stacked Area. - This model of chart illustrates the trend of the contribution made by each value throughout time or categories.

·100% Stacked Area. - This chart model shows the trend of each value’s contribution rate over time or categories.

Doughnut Charts

The doughnut chart exposes the relationship of parts to a whole. It can include more than one data series.

Sub-types:

·Doughnut.-This chart model shows data in rings, where each ring stands for a data series.

·Exploded Doughnut. - This type of chart is similar to an exploded pie chart, but it can include more than one data series.

Radar Charts

A radar chart is used to compare the total values of a number of data series.

Sub-types:

·Radar. - This chart model illustrates changes in values relative to a center point.

·Filled Radar. - In this style of chart, the area covered by a data series is colored.

Surface Charts

A surface chart is use to discover adequate combinations between two sets of data.

Sub-types:

·3-D Surface. - This chart model demonstrates trends in values along two dimensions in a consecutive curve.

·Contour. – In this chart type, colors are used to represent specific ranges of values. If the chart is showed without color, it is called a Wireframe Contour.

Bubble Charts

A bubble chart is a type of xy chart. It is used to compare sets of 3 values. For arranging data in this kind of chart, you have to place the x values in one column and later you enter the matching y values in the column situated next to the x values’ column.

Stock Charts

This model of chart is used for stocking price data and for scientific data (to show temperature changes).

Sub-types:

·High-Low-Close. -  This chart type is used to show stock prices. It needs three series of values in the arranged in the following order (high, low, and close).

·Open-High-Low-Close.- This chart type needs four series of values arranged in the next order (open, high, low, and close).

·Volume-High-Low-Close.- This model of chart needs four series of values arranged in the correct order (volume, high, low, and close).

·Volume-Open-High-Low-Close.- This style of chart needs five series of values organized in the following order (volume, open, high, low, and close).

Cylinder, Cone, or Pyramid Charts

These models of charts use cone, cylinder, or pyramid data markers to provide different effects to columns, bars, and 3-D column charts.

Sub-types:

·Column, Stacked Column, or 100% Stacked Column. – In this chart type, columns are represented by cylindrical, conical, or pyramid shapes.

·Bar, Stacked Bar, or 100% Stacked Bar. – In this model of chart, bars are represented by conical, cylindrical, or pyramid shapes.

·3-D Column. – In this style of chart, 3-D columns are represented by cylindrical, conical, or pyramid shapes.

Question:

Explain to me why you would use them.

I would use these Graphic tables because they make data more effective, easy to understand, analyze and compare. Also, they make the information more interesting. I think that is very important to know the function of each chart because in that way we can use it correctly. Also, I consider it an advantage that there are a lot of Graphic Table’ models, because we can choose the one that best suits to what we are doing. For example if I want to illustrate the relationship between numeric values in data series I have to use a XY Scatter Chart. However if I want to exhibit trends in data at even intervals I need to use a line chart. 

Bibliography

Office. (n.d.). Retrieved February 17, 2014, from Available chart types : http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/excel-help/available-chart-types-HA001034607.aspx