Charts, sparklines and visual objects

What you can do#

Select a meaningful data range before inserting a chart. Column and bar charts compare categories, line charts show changes over a sequence, and scatter plots show relationships between numeric values. Recommended Charts can suggest a starting point from the selected data.

Chart controls include type, titles, legends, data selection and supported formatting. Trendlines offer several fitting methods and can show an equation or R². Sparklines place compact line, column or win/loss summaries in cells. Pictures and shapes add context when a worksheet needs explanatory material alongside its data.

Try it#

Imported charts can lose unsupported details when saved. Chart-sheet parts may be preserved without being shown or editable. Advanced axis controls, error bars and some subtypes are incomplete. Inspect an exported workbook if another person needs to continue editing the chart in another spreadsheet application.

1. Select the data and its headings.
2. Choose Insert → Chart or Recommended Charts.
3. Check which values became categories and series.
4. Add a clear title and review the chart after saving and reopening.