Tables with numbers are useful, but charts help highlight: Trends Relationships Patterns Useful for managers who want quick, visual insights without analyzing rows of data.
What is a Line Graph?
A line graph shows changes over time. Best when you re tracking progress (e.g., student marks, monthly sales).
Example 1: Student Marks Line Graph
Data: Students marks for Tutorials, Practicals, Test 1, Test 2, and Exam Each type of mark has a maximum (e.g., 10 marks for tutorials) Steps to Insert a Line Graph: 1. Click anywhere in the data table (e.g., C7) 2. Go to Insert tab Click Recommended Charts 3. Choose Line under the All Charts tab Click OK Customizing the Chart: Edit Chart Title: Click on chart title Use formula bar: =A1 (to link to cell A1) Edit Legends (Data Series Names): Click the chart Chart Design Select Data Click each series Edit Click the appropriate heading cell (e.g., B2 = Tutorials) Resize or move chart by clicking and dragging Add Data Labels by clicking the plus sign + on the chart Check Data Labels
Example 2: Monthly Sales Line Graph
(Zone Bikes Worksheet) Goal: Show total sales from January to June using a line graph Step-by-step: 1. List all months using =A4, =A10, etc. to avoid spelling errors 2. Use the SUMIF function to calculate monthly totals: =SUMIF($A$4:$A$655, I3, $E$4:$E$655) $A$4:$A$655 Range of months I3 Criteria (e.g., January ) $E$4:$E$655 Range of sales values 3. Auto-fill the formula for all months (Jan Jun) 4. Insert the Line Graph: Select months + totals Go to Insert Recommended Charts All Charts Line OK 5. Link Chart Title to worksheet: Click chart title Type =A1 Press Enter
Final Notes: One dataset = no legend needed (e.g., only sales data) Line graphs are ideal for spotting upward/downward trends Avoid typing month names manually use cell references to prevent errors