Introduction to Excel Line Graphing

The ‘Quick’ and ‘Easy’ guide to using Microsoft Excel for Line

Graphing* Created by: Bunch of BHS

science teachers

Materials

• Access to Power Point Tutorial

• Excel Chart Making Handout

• Access to Excel Computer Program

• Access to Printer (to print evidence of work)

• Data Tables from LMC website

• Analysis Questions

Starting at the Beginning

What is a Spreadsheet?

What are they for?

A spreadsheet is a powerful tool for organizing information.

They are used to carry out lots of calculations quickly and to store large amounts of information for a range of

purposes.

So, how do SPREADSHEETS work?

Rows(Side to Side)[Numbered]

Columns (Up and Down)

[Letters]Cell

(Every one of these boxes

is a cell)

Every cell has a name to help you find the right one.

Its name starts with the column letter and then the row number.

So, this cell is called what?

Your Task

YOUR TASK:

Read through the directions carefully and completethe tasks included, in this presentation, in order toproduce the practice line graph and 2 Line Graphsabout CT Energy Usage which will be used in class.

Task 1: (see data table next slide)Input the data about the average monthly rainfall inAnchorage, Alaska and Miami, Florida. Create a linegraph based on the data.

Average Monthly Temp. of Anchorage Verses Miami Temperature (F) Temperature (F)Jan 22 68Feb 26 74March 34 78April 44 81May 55 81June 62 88July 65 91August 63 94Sept. 55 88Oct. 40 81Nov. 28 78Dec. 24 74

Let’s Start- Inputting Data• Open an Excel spreadsheet.• Enter a title in cell 1A, “Months”. Going down

column A type the 12 months of the year. • Going down column B type the average

Anchorage temperature for each month. • Going down column C type the average Miami

temperature for each month. • Highlight all three columns of information by

clicking in cell A1 and hold down and drag to cell C12. Everything is highlighted except for cell A1. This is normal.

Creating a graph (see handout for tips)

• There’s an icon on the menu that looks like the icon shown (it has a blue, red, and yellow book.) This is the “Chart Wizard.” Click on it.

• Step 1 - Choose “line” and click next.• Step 2 - Choose format with points plotted and click next.• Step 3 – Click “Series 1” and enter the name and temperature for the “B column” title. • Step 4 - Click on “values” and make sure that the “B column” is highlighted.• Step 5 – Go back to “Series 2” and enter the name and temperature for the “C column” title. Click on “values” and make sure that the “C column” is highlighted.

Creating a graph• Step 6 – Click “next” Here’s where we enter graph

information:– Chart Title: Average Temperatures in Anchorage and Miami– X axis – Time (months)– Y axis – Average Temperature (F)

• Step 7 –”Chart Location” You have a choice of “as new sheet” or “as object in.”– Choose “as new sheet”

• Format the graph (optional). Add your name and date in a text box. (Use drawing toolbar)

• Print this graph and hand in to your teacher.

NOW YOU ARE READY FOR THE REAL-DEAL!

First check your product…your graph should look similar to the one below.

Your Graphing Challenge!

You will be selecting specific data, from an Excel spreadsheet to create a graph for analysis.

Graph Title: Total Petroleum Usage in CT. (1960-2000)

Petroleum Usage in CT

• First open a new worksheet in Excel.

• Then collect your data• Log onto the Library

Media Center Page and locate the science under subject area websites

Locate the Energy Data Table

Collect your dataLocate the column titled Total Petroleum.Copy and Paste this column into an Excel spreadsheet.

HMMM….SHOULD IT GO IN COLUMN A OR B?

Graph – Total Petroleum Usage in CT

• Create a line graph the same way you did for the practice graph. (You can cut and paste the data)

• Remember – the first column will have to be the years from column A

• use the data from the Total Petroleum column to complete your graph.

Check Your graph

• Be sure all the necessary parts are in your graph:

• Axis Labels

• Title

• Series Label (Key)

• When Ready, PRINT your graph.

You’re a PRO!

PRINT 2 COPIES OF YOUR FINAL GRAPH AND YOU ARE ALL SET.Write your name at the top if you did not create a textbox, hand one in to the teacher and keep the other for your ISN and analysis questions.