Introduction

By the end of this lesson, you should be able to:

• Insert a chart
• Insert a diagram
• Insert a table

Inserting a chart

PowerPoint allows you to insert charts into your slide presentation to display different types of information for your audience.

To insert a chart:

• Insert a new slide with a title and chart icon.
• When the slide appears, click the Insert Chart icon.

• A chart appears with a data sheet and sample data.

• Replace the sample data in the data sheet with actual data you want to present. The Y axis is for values or numbers, like the number of hours worked or amount of money earned. The X axis is the label for the information. It now reads East, West, and North.
• You can delete some information in columns or rows of the sheet. Right-click the row or column and choose Cut, Delete, or Clear Contents.
• NOTE: You can expand the chart columns to fit your data or titles. Place your mouse pointer over the end of the column in the gray heading. A black cross with double arrows appears. Right-click and drag the columns to the size you want.
• To format column width, click FormatColumn width.
• Notice as you enter new data and titles that the chart on the slide changes to show this new information.

If the datasheet disappears, double-click the chart and choose ViewDatasheet.

Setting a maximum value for a chart

As you enter numbers in your chart, a maximum value will automatically be set, or you can set a maximum value of your own. The top value will automatically round up from the top value of the data you are entering. Depending on your data, it will be rounded to the nearest ten, hundred, or thousand.

To set a maximum value:

• Double-click a value on the side of the chart.
• The Format Axis dialog box appears.
• Click the Scale tab.

• Change the number for Maximum to the maximum number in your presentation, such as 100.

• Click OK.

Choosing a different chart type

If you don't want to use the chart that automatically appears when you double-click the chart icon in a slide, you can choose a different chart type.

To choose a different chart option:

• Click ChartChart Type.

• A list of different charts appears, including Column, Bar, Line, Pie, and Pyramid.

• Choose the best chart type for your presentation.
• Click OK.

Labeling a chart

You may also want to label your chart with such information as the title and what the X and Y axes represent. In the default chart, the X axis is the horizontal information, while the Y axis is the vertical information.

To label a chart:

• Click ChartChart Options.
• A dialog box appears.
• Click the Titles tab if it is not already selected.

• In the box below Chart Title, type in the title.
• In the box below Category (X) axis, type in the label for this information. It appears in the rows to the left of the datasheet and in a box to the right of the chart.
• In the box below Value (Y) axis, type in the label for this information.
• Click OK.

To change text alignment of the label:

• Right-click the text and choose Format Axis title.

• Click the Alignment tab.
• Choose your text alignment and orientation options.

• Click OK.

Inserting a diagram or organization chart

Does your presentation require a diagram or organization chart? An organization chart shows hierarchal relationships in a company or organization such as president and vice president, while diagrams are used to show relationships between various elements.

To insert a diagram or organization chart:

• Insert a new slide with a Diagram or Organization Chart icon.
• Click the Insert Diagram or Organization Chart icon.

• When the Diagram Gallery dialog box appears, select a diagram or chart type.

• Click OK.

OR

• If working in a blank slide, click the Insert Diagram or Organization Chart button on the Drawing toolbar.

Inserting a table

PowerPoint also gives you the option of displaying information within your presentation in a table.

To insert a table:

• Insert a new slide with a table icon.
• Click the Insert Table icon.

• When the dialog box appears, set the number of columns and rows for your table.

• Click OK.
• Enter the data for your table.
• To format the table, choose FormatTable.

• Click the tabs and make any necessary changes.
• Click OK.

Challenge!

• Open the My Hobbies presentation.
• Insert a new slide that contains a chart icon. This will be the fifth slide in the presentation.
• Decide whether you would like to insert a chart or table. This chart or table needs to be related to the topic of your presentation, how you spend you free time/your hobbies.

  
  An example of a table related to your hobbies: You could create a table to track how many hours you spend on each activity for a week. To do this, insert a table with eight columns and four rows. It might look like this:

  

  An example of a chart related to your hobbies: You could create a chart that shows the estimated amount of time you spend on each hobby in a week (out of 168 hours, or seven days multiplied by 24 hours). It might look like this:

  

• Format the table or chart as necessary.
• Save and close your presentation.