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ELEMENTS OF A CHART
The different parts that make up a chart are referred to as chart elements. Let us understand the basic
chart elements as shown in data.
Chart Title
Y-axis
Plot Area
Gridline

Axis Title

Data Label

X-axis
Data Table Chart Area
Axis Title
Legend

• Chart Title - Chart Title is a heading that appears above the main chart. It is usually used to
describe or explain what the chart contains and the values in it, if any.
• Chart Area - Chart Area refers to the area within which all chart elements are placed. It is usually
surrounded by a boundary.
• Plot Area - Plot Area is the area bounded by the two axes in a chart.
• Axes - Axes represent the horizontal and vertical lines that surround the plot area in a chart.
Category Axis - Category Axis (usually the X-axis) represents the horizontal axis in
a chart. It is used to display categories or time intervals.
Value Axis - Value Axis (usually the Y-axis) represents the vertical axis in a
chart. It is used to display values for the various categories.
• Axes Titles - Axes Titles represent the descriptions for the X-axis and Y-axis.
• Data Series - Data Series refers to the set of values in a worksheet which are plotted in a chart.
• Data Table - Data Table displays the values represented in the chart in a grid at the bottom of the
chart.
• Data Labels - Data Labels display the values of various data points in a chart.
• Legend - The Legend (Chart’s Key) identifies which data series each colour on the chart represents.
• Gridlines - Gridlines are horizontal and vertical lines that make it easier to identify the value of
each data point in a chart. 2

CREATING A CHART

To create a chart:
1. Select the cell range that contains data for
which you want to create a chart.
2. On the Insert tab, click the Recommended
Charts button in the Charts group.

The Insert Chart dialog box opens. 1

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