How to Make a Bar Graph in Excel

Creating a Graph

1. Select all of your data. To do so, click the A1 cell, hold down ⇧ Shift, and then click the bottom value in the B column. This will select all of your data.

   1. If your graph uses different column letters, numbers, and so on, simply remember to click the top-left cell in your data group and then click the bottom-right while holding ⇧ Shift.

2. Click the Insert tab. It's at the top of the Excel window, just right of the Home tab.

3. Click the "Bar chart" icon. This icon is in the "Charts" group below and to the right of the Insert tab; it resembles a series of three vertical bars.

4. Click a bar graph option. The templates available to you will vary depending on your operating system and whether or not you've purchased Excel, but some popular options include the following:

   1. 2-D Column - Represents your data with simple, vertical bars.
   2. 3-D Column - Presents three-dimensional, vertical bars.
   3. 2-D Bar - Presents a simple graph with horizontal bars instead of vertical ones.
   4. 3-D Bar - Presents three-dimensional, horizontal bars.

5. Customize your graph's appearance. Once you decide on a graph format, you can use the "Design" section near the top of the Excel window to select a different template, change the colors used, or change the graph type entirely.

   1. The "Design" window only appears when your graph is selected. To select your graph, click it.
   2. You can also click the graph's title to select it and then type in a new title. The title is typically at the top of the graph's window.