Modes

Four different types of graphs may be selected using the selector buttons at the top of the main screen:

• Bar – Data from one or multiple columns will be displayed in a bar graph.
• On the main screen, select which columns to display and the color for each column.
• On the preview screen, you will have the option of displaying the graph horizontally or vertically and with or without data labels and a legend.
• Line – Data from two columns will be displayed in a line graph.
• On the main screen, select which column is to be used for x and y values. (Note that row names are irrelevant for the purpose of this graph, so you do not have the option of changing them when the Line button is selected.)
• On the preview screen, you will have the option of displaying the graph horizontally or vertically and with or without data labels and a legend.
• Pie – Data from one column will be displayed in a pie chart.
• On the main screen, select which column to display and the color for each row. (Note the Min. Value and Max. Value settings are irrelevant for this type of graph, so you do not have the option of changing them when the Pie button is selected.)
• On the preview screen, you will have the option of displaying the graph with or without data labels and a legend.
• Pictograph – Data from one column will be displayed in a pictograph.
• On the main screen, select which column to display as well as the type of object to use — smiley face, lady bug, star, etc.
• On the preview screen, you will have the option of displaying the graph with or without data labels and a legend. (Note that each object may represent a value greater than 1, so the legend may be helpful in interpreting the pictograph.)

How to Use

• Data can be entered in multiple rows and columns. To add rows and columns, use the Add Row and Add Column buttons:

Add Row:

Add Column:

• Although there is no limit to the number of rows that may be added, no more than six columns of data are allowed.
• Click in a cell to add or change data, or to update the row or column name. You can also move between cells using the TAB key on the keyboard. Numbers can contain decimal points, but cannot contain commas or other symbols. Data entered in multiple rows and columns will appear as follows:

• A Graph Title, X Axis Title and Y Axis Title can be entered to provide further information. Values can be entered for Min. Value and Max. Value to set the minimum and maximum values displayed on the y‑axis. The values displayed on the x‑axis are automatically determined by the data values that have been entered in the rows and columns.

Additional Features

• After data has been entered, the Preview button may be used to view the graph.
• From the preview screen, click Print to print a copy of the graph.
• The New button can be used to reset the tool. Warning: All data will be lost when the New button is clicked, so be sure you want to do this.

Find a set of data that you find interesting. You might consider data from the U.S. Census Bureau or from one of the major sports leagues (NBA, NFL, MLB). A simple internet search will provide viable URLs.

Enter some of the data into the cells below. Then, use the Preview button to view the data in various formats — as a bar graph, line graph, pie chart, or pictograph.

• Which representation is the most useful?
• Which representation is the least useful?
• Which data would you display and which type of representation would you use if you wanted to convince a friend that your favorite basketball player is the best player in the league? Which would you use if you wanted to convince a friend that a particular state has the most people?