How to Make a Bar Graph in Excel

In this tutorial, you’ll see how to create a simple bar graph in Excel. Using a graph is a great way to present your data in an effective, visual way.

Sounds interesting? Let’s have a look!

See the video tutorial and transcription below:

See this video on YouTube: 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fk-iFv5_Rdo

Excel offers many different chart types and choosing just the right kind of graph can make your data presentation clear and engaging. In the previous tutorials, we learned how to make a line graph and

How to Make a Bar Graph in Excel - line graph

also pie chart.

How to Make a Line Graph in Excel - pie chart

In this tutorial, we’ll take some time to explore the bar graph, specifically, how to use it to present monthly sales, which you can see in this table. First of all, as usual, we need to select the area with the relevant data – the data we want to present in the graph.

How to Make a Bar Graph in Excel - relevant data we want to present in graph

Click on the ‘Insert’ tab, go to section ‘Charts’ and select the bar graph option.

How to Make a Bar Graph in Excel - bar graph option

There are more graph design options to choose from, but for now, we’ll pick the first one.

How to Make a Bar Graph in Excel - first option

Excel will immediately draw the graph and insert it in the spreadsheet.

Now, let’s see what we can do to improve the graph or customise it more to our liking.

How to Adjust the Position of the Graph Within the Excel Spreadsheet

The position of the graph within the spreadsheet can be adjusted in a very simple way. Click on the blank space within the chart area, hold the left mouse button and move the graph any direction to place it exactly where you need.

How to Make a Bar Graph in Excel - change position of the graph

How to Adjust the Size of Graph in Excel

You can easily adjust the size of the graph, too – simply by clicking into any corner of the graph area, on one of the little circles, and dragging any direction until the size of the graph is just what you need it to be.

How to Make a Bar Graph in Excel - change size of the graph

Let’s move on!

How to Add the Graph Title in Excel

The title of the graph now contains the caption ‘Chart Title’. Of course, you can name your graph anything you want. Just click on the caption to make it editable and type in your own title.

How to Make a Bar Graph in Excel - change graph title

And we’re still not finished here!

How to Change Colour and Design of the Graph

The colour and design of the chart can also be easily changed according to your preference. Click on the blank space of the chart area again, go to ‘Design’ tab and find the option ‘Change Colour’ to pick from a selection of colours.

How to Make a Bar Graph in Excel - change colour

In addition, the whole graph design can be changed in a similar way. Go to ‘Design’ tab once again, look for ‘Chart Styles’, click on the drop-down arrow and you’ll see a list of options to choose from. You can select the style that suits you best.

How to Make a Bar Graph in Excel - graph style

And here’s one more thing before we finish.

A graph in Excel is dynamic, which means that if you change any data in the source table, it will be reflected in the graph, too. For example, we’ll change the sales figure for August from 41 to 154. The graph has automatically updated to show this new value.

How to Make a Bar Graph in Excel - dynamic data in graph

If you’re interested in learning more about other types of graphs or how to improve already created charts, watch the upcoming EasyClick Academy video tutorials!

If you’re curious how you could make the design of your data tables even more effective, watch more video tutorials by EasyClick Academy!

If you found this tutorial helpful, give us a ‘like’ and watch other video tutorials by EasyClick Academy. Learn how to use Excel in a quick and easy way!

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See you in the next tutorial!