Creating a Chart


Creating a chart using the Chart toolbar

Charts can be created in a number of ways in Excel XP. The quickest way to create and edit your charts is to use the Chart toolbar.

To show the Chart toolbar:

  • Choose ViewToolbarsChart on the menu bar.

    View, Toolbars and Chart Menu Selections

Parts of the Chart toolbar:

Chart Toolbar

Chart objects list box


Format chart area


Chart type



This is used to show or hide the chart legend.

Data table

This is used to show or hide the actual source data that was used to create the chart.

By row

This plots the data series using the row labels (Y axis).

By column

This plots the data series using the column labels (X axis).

Angle text

This is used to rotate the angle of the X axis and Y axis labels.