How to Make Pivot Chart in Excel

In Microsoft Excel, Pivot Tables and Pivot Charts can be an excellent way to organize and present your data. A Pivot Chart is a visual representation of a Pivot Table in the form of a chart or graph. Creating a Pivot Chart in Excel is straightforward and can be done quickly. With the help of Pivot Charts, you can analyze and visualize your data in a more meaningful way. In this blog post, we will walk you through the process of making a Pivot Chart in Excel step-by-step.

Step 1: Review Your Data for Creating Pivot Chart in Excel

The first step to creating a Pivot Chart in Excel is to review your data carefully. Ensure that the data is organized correctly. A Pivot Chart is a visual representation of a Pivot Table, so it is crucial to create a Pivot Table before you can create a Pivot Chart. Ensure that your data is in the right format, complete with headers that describe the data, values in the rows and columns, and no blank cells.

Step 2: Create a Pivot Table in Excel

The second step is to create a Pivot Table in Excel. To do this, go to the ‘Insert’ tab, click on ‘PivotTable,’ and select ‘New Worksheet’ or ‘Existing Worksheet.’ Then, choose your data source range. After that, drag and drop your desired fields to the ‘Values’ and ‘Columns’ or ‘Rows’ areas of the Pivot Table in the ‘PivotTable Fields’ task pane.

Step 3: Create a Pivot Chart in Excel

Now that you have created your Pivot Table, creating a Pivot Chart in Excel is quick and easy. To create a Pivot Chart, select any cell within your Pivot Table, navigate to the ‘Insert’ tab, click on the ‘PivotChart’ option, and choose your desired chart type. Choose ‘OK’ to create the Pivot Chart.

Step 4: Customize Your Pivot Chart in Excel

After creating your Pivot Chart in Excel, you can further customize the chart to suit your needs. For example, to change the color of the chart, click on the chart area to select it, and navigate to the ‘Chart Design’ tab, where you can modify various chart elements. You can adjust the chart’s Title, Legend, Axis, and other features as per your requirements.

Conclusion

Pivot Charts provide an effective way to perform complex data analysis and illustrate results in an intuitive way. They help decision-makers extract insights in real-time and simplify the decision-making process. By following these simple steps, anyone can create Pivot Charts in Microsoft Excel and gain a valuable understanding of their data.

Tips for Creating Effective Pivot Charts in Excel

When creating Pivot Charts, there are certain tips that can help you create effective and engaging visualizations that effectively convey your data’s message. Here are some essential tips to keep in mind:

1. Choose the Right Chart Type

Excel provides different chart types, each designed to convey specific data types most effectively. Selecting the correct chart type can help your audience comprehend your data’s story faster. For example, if you want to compare how various data series contribute to the entire dataset, use a stacked column or stacked bar chart.

2. Keep Your Chart Simple

Avoid including too much data or using too many categories that make your chart unnecessarily complex. A simple chart is often the most effective for telling a data story. Keep it clean, straight to the point, and easy to read.

3. Use Color Effectively

Color can be a potent tool that you can use to highlight different categories or show the variation in data values. Choose colors that are visually appealing to your intended audience and employ them consistently throughout the chart. For example, use complementary colors for series that are associated, such as expenses versus revenue over time.

4. Format Your Chart Properly

To make your Pivot Chart look professional, format it correctly. Formatting involves adjusting chart elements such as labels, titles, and fonts to present your data in the best possible light.

Pivot Charts in Excel can help you to understand your data better and present insights that are visually appealing to others. Ensure that you take the time to organize the data source, create an effective Pivot Table, and customize the Pivot Chart to your liking. With these simple steps, not only can you create informative and engaging Pivot Charts, but you also can economize time and energy during data analysis and decision-making processes.

FAQs About Making Pivot Charts in Excel

Here are some frequently asked questions about creating Pivot Charts in Excel:

1. What is the difference between a Pivot Table and a Pivot Chart?

A Pivot Table is a table that summarizes data from a larger table or database. On the other hand, a Pivot Chart is a graphical representation of a Pivot Table that is easier to parse. Both are essential to summarizing data in a clear and convincing way.

2. What are the benefits of using Pivot Charts?

Pivot Charts enable decision-makers to draw insights from complex data sets quickly. They can help visualize data in intuitive and easily understandable ways, which simplifies the decision-making process.

3. How do I choose the right chart type for my Pivot Chart?

The chart type you choose depends on the type of data you are presenting. Excel has several chart types, including bar, line, pie, scatter, and more. You should pick a chart type that can showcase data relationships effectively and uniquely.

4. Can I edit the data series after creating a Pivot Chart?

Yes, you can edit data series after creating a Pivot Chart. Just select the chart, go to ‘Design’ tab, click ‘Select Data.’ It will open a dialog box where you can add, edit, or remove data series.

5. How do I add a title to my Pivot Chart in Excel?

To add a title to your Pivot Chart, select the chart, go to ‘Chart Design’ tab, and click ‘Add Chart Element.’ Then, choose ‘Chart Title’ and insert the title in the designated area.