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when working with numerical data in word
sometimes a chart is just what you need
to show the meaning behind the numbers
in this video we're going to look at
some of the different types of charts
and also some ways that you can
customize them to best represent your
data column charts are good all-around
charts they work with many different
types of data whereas line charts are
best for showing trends over time pie
charts are unique because they let you
see your data in proportion instead of
on a graph we also have the bar chart
which is basically just a column chart
turned on its side and finally area
charts which are similar to line charts
except the areas under the lines are
filled in to create a chart go to the
insert tab then click the chart command
and a list of choices will appear I
think I'll start with something in the
column category this one looks nice and
simple click OK and then something
interesting happens word will open a
spreadsheet similar to what you'll find
in Excel where you can start entering
your data all you have to do is type
your information over the placeholder
text and word will update the chart in
your document see how it works
now we just need to
in our sales figures we're going to be
covering a six-month period from January
all the way to June anything you want to
include in your chart has to be inside
this little blue box but don't worry
it'll expand automatically as you
continue to type if you already have
your data recorded elsewhere such as an
Excel workbook you can copy and paste it
instead of entering it by hand all you
have to do is navigate to the worksheet
in Excel and then copy the data you want
to use next go back to Word and paste it
here by pressing ctrl V on your keyboard
and word will update the chart instantly
when you're done click the X to close
the spreadsheet window you can also give
your chart a title if you want to go
back to the chart
changes or Corrections click the Edit
data command on the design tab and the
window will open again charts are
designed to help you illustrate your
point just like illustrations in a book
therefore things like color layout and
chart type really do matter for example
right now the columns are grouped by
genre but I'm more interested in taking
a look at trends over time that means we
need to group the data by month instead
luckily we don't have to start over just
make sure you have the Edit data window
open then click the chart to select it
next click the command that says switch
row / column and that's all it takes
see how the chart has been rearranged
basically the months and the genres have
switched places you can always
experiment with this to see which option
is going to work best if you want to try
a different chart altogether click the
change chart type command on the far
right of the tab then pick something
else from the dialog box I think I'll go
with a line chart this time line charts
work
for data like this for example we can
see right away that sci-fi and fantasy
had an unusually good month in February
and also that romance novels are
starting to catch up in sales if you
want you can change the chart style to
give your chart a different look as you
can see you have several different
options to choose from you can also
change the chart layout itself just go
to the quick layout command and make a
selection from the menu not all of these
options will work for the data you're
working with just keep going until you
find something you like why don't we go
with something like this you can make
further adjustments using the chart
elements shortcut just look for the
button with the plus sign here you can
add or remove elements from your chart
depending on your preferences or you can
click the arrow to the right to access
even more options charts are a great
choice for presenting numerical data in
Word and also enhancing your documents
with so many design options to choose
from you can achieve exactly the look
you want
you