Chapter 9. Presenting Numbers by Using Data Charts

In this chapter

• Find out how charts can make numbers understandable

• Learn how to use the Microsoft Graph program

• Explore the wide variety of chart types available in PowerPoint

• Learn how to enter chart data and import it from other sources

• Find out how to modify individual chart elements to make them more effective

For those of us who come from relatively nontechnical, nonnumeric backgrounds, the very thought of creating data charts causes fear and trepidation. You might ask "What is an x-axis anyway?" or "Why do I want an area chart instead of a pie chart?" Or perhaps you're even asking whether you want to create a data chart at all.

In my experience, data charts graphic representations of numeric information can be quite useful in sometimes rather unexpected ways. But most of all, they help an audience understand how numbers relate to each other. They show trends and patterns, and in other ways they put a visual face on otherwise nondescript lists of numbers. In Chapter 8, "Organizing Information by Using Tables," you learned how to present numbers in tables. Although that helps an audience sort out numbers, data charts can really bring those numbers to life.

If you're already a numbers and charts type of person for example, if you already create charts by using Excel or some other program you'll find it easy to understand what's presented in this chapter. But even if you're new to numbers and charts, you'll find that PowerPoint makes it easy to create powerful, effective, and memorable data charts.