Free demo · Microsoft Excel · Lesson 4 · Basics · Charts

Turn numbers into a chart in one click

Select the data, press Alt + F1, and Excel draws a chart next to it. Then add a title, labels and the right chart type.

Month | Sales Jan | 40 Feb | 65 Mar | 55 Apr | 90
  1. 1Select A1:B5, with the headings
  2. 2Press Alt + F1 (or Insert › Recommended Charts)
  1. 3Add a chart title
  2. 4Chart Elements + › Data Labels
  3. ✓Change Chart Type › Line for trends over time
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  5. Enrol

Tip: press → or Space to step through, ← to go back, R to replay.

About this lesson

Excel can chart a table in one keystroke: select the data with its headings and press Alt + F1 to insert the default chart on the same sheet, or F11 to place it on a new chart sheet. Insert › Recommended Charts suggests chart types that suit the data. From the Chart Elements button you add a title, data labels, axes and a legend, and Change Chart Type switches between column, line, pie and other types. Use columns to compare values and lines to show a trend over time.

Key points

  • Alt + F1 and F11 for instant charts
  • Chart title and data labels
  • Column vs line charts