Excel Charts & Graphs and SmartArt Graphics for Beginners from Udemy

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Syllabus

Welcome to the Course!

Welcome to the course

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List of sites where you can practice Excel problems

In this video lecture:

You will learn how to create an Excel chart or graph selecting the data series manually.
And you will be introduced with the “Insert” Chart dialog box.

In this video lecture:

You will learn in details how to create an Excel chart using the Recommended Charts command.
And you will learn how to apply Chart Styles on a chart.

In this video lecture, you will learn:

How to create an Excel chart using the commands under the Charts group.
How to change the color of a chart.
How to change the Layout of a chart.
How to switch between Row and Column.
How to change Chart type.
How to create default Excel chart using keyboard shortcut.
How to create chart in Chart Sheet using keyboard shortcut.
And how to change the default Excel chart.

In this video lecture:

You will learn how to create a Combo Chart.
And then you will be introduced with the different parts of a chart.

In this video lecture:

You will work with the three icons that appear on the top-right corner when you select a chart. They are:
1. Chart Elements
2. Chart Styles
3. And Chart Filters
More or less you have worked with them in earlier videos, you will learn their uses in details in this video.

In this video lecture, you will learn how to:

Resize a chart
Move a chart from one location to another
In the same worksheet
1. From one worksheet to another
2. From one workbook to another
3. And even from a worksheet to a chart sheet.
You will also learn how to delete a chart
And how to Print only the chart, not the whole worksheet.

In this video lecture:

You will learn how to create these three chart types:
1. Column Chart
2. Bar Chart
3. And Line Chart
You will see all these chart types have two major sub-categories: 2-D and 3-D.

In this video lecture:

You will learn how to create and customize a Pie chart in details.
You will learn how to create “Bar of Pie” chart and “Pie of Pie” chart.
And you will be introduced with the “Format Data Labels” task pane.

In this video lecture:

You will learn how to create and use of these three charts:
1. XY or Scatter Chart
2. Area Chart
3. And Radar Chart.

In this video lecture, you will learn how to select a chart element. You can select a chart element in three ways:

Using your mouse pointer
Using Chart Elements control
And using your keyboard.

In this video lecture,

You will learn how to find out the tools that you will use to format chart elements.

In this video lecture, you will learn how to work with the features under the Fill & Line tab to format a chart element. You will get two sub categories under this tab:

Fill
And Border

In this video lecture,

You will learn where to find out the Effects options.
You will also learn how to work with the different options under the Effects tab.

In this video lecture, you will learn how to work with the different options under the Size & Properties tab. The options are:

Size
Properties
Alt Text
And Alignment

In this video lecture,

You will learn how to format the data table of a chart.
You will learn how to change the axis of a data series
And you will also learn how to change the marker of a data series.

In this video lecture,

You will learn how to work with
Value Axis related Format Axis task pane options
And Category Axis related Format Axis task pane options.

In this video lecture,

You will learn two topics:
The first topic is: how to handle missing data points in a chart
And second topic is: how to show those data in a chart that are from hidden rows and columns.

In this video lecture,

You will learn how to add Error Bars to a chart
You will also learn how to show Trend-line in a chart.

In this video lecture,

You will learn how to save a chart as a template.
You will also learn how to apply and manage chart templates.

In this video lecture, you will learn about two controls of Format Data Series task pane. They are:

Series Overlap
Gap Width

Combination charts are generally called Combo charts in Excel. These types of charts have so many uses. In this video lecture, I have talked about how to create a complex type Excel combo chart.

In this video lecture,

You will learn how to use images as the background of a chart
You will also learn how to use a shape as the columns of chart.

In this video lecture,

You will learn how to make a thermometer chart in Excel.

In this video lecture,

You will learn how to make a gauge chart in Excel.

In this video lecture,

You will learn how to create a comparative histogram chart.

In this video lecture:

You will learn how to create a basic Gantt Chart using Stacked Bar chart.
You will also learn how to reverse the Category axis and change the position of the Labels of Horizontal axis.
And you will learn other topics like:
1. Changing the value of Major Units
2. And changing Gap Width between Data Series

In this video lecture, you will learn how to use different tools to format a picture. The tools are:

Corrections tool – this tool is used to soften, sharpen, increase brightness or contrast
Color tool – this tool is used to do Color Saturation, Color Tone and Recolor
Artistic Effects
Picture border – this tool is used to add border to a picture
Picture Effects – this tool is used to add effects to an image
Picture Layout – you can change the layout of a picture using this tool.

I have also discussed about the commands under the Size group.

In this video lecture,

You will learn how to remove background from an image using Excel
And you have learned the use of the tools in the Background Removal tab that appears when you click on the Remove Background command in the Picture Tools Format contextual tab.

In this video lecture, you will learn how to work with SmartArt Graphics in details:

How to insert,
How to change the layout, color, styles of the SmartArt graphics,
How to change the shape, color and other features of individual object in a SmartArt Graphic.
How to add text, how to change direction
And many more features.

In this video lecture,

You will learn how stacking order works for Images, Shapes and Smart Arts,
You will learn how to change the stacking order,
And you will learn how to hide and unhide all of them using Selection task pane.

In this video lecture,

You will learn how to group, ungroup and regroup the objects in a worksheet,
You will also learn how to align objects in different ways.

In this video lecture,

You will learn how to show the cell value as an object text,
You will also learn about Excel PI and ROUND functions.

In this video lecture,

You will learn how to change the styles of Drawing and SmartArt tools text objects.

In this video lecture,

You will learn how to write mathematical equation in an Equation Editor.
You will also learn how to design the editor.

Want to get an in-depth knowledge of Microsoft Excel? Join my Advanced Excel 2013 Training + Build a Pro Excel Template course for 50% Off. Or join my Data Analysis in Excel with Statistics: Get Meanings of Data course for 50% Off.

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Read about what's good

what should give you pause

and possible dealbreakers

Provides a strong foundation in creating charts and graphs, starting with the basics of Excel charts and progressing to more advanced techniques

Teaches how to build useful Excel charts like Combo Charts, Picture Charts, Thermometer Charts, and Gantt charts, which are valuable for data visualization

Explores graphical objects and their uses in data presentation, enhancing the visual appeal and impact of reports and dashboards

Covers advanced chart techniques, including formatting chart elements, handling missing data, and adding error bars and trendlines, which are useful for detailed analysis

Uses Excel 2013, which may not include the latest features and updates available in newer versions of Excel, potentially limiting some advanced functionalities

Refers to other courses for in-depth knowledge of Microsoft Excel, suggesting that this course may not be a standalone comprehensive resource

Reviews summary

Foundational excel charts & graphics

According to learners, this course provides a clear and concise introduction to creating charts, graphs, and SmartArt in Excel. Many students found the lectures easy to follow and appreciated the step-by-step approach, making it ideal for absolute beginners. Reviewers frequently highlighted the practical application of the techniques taught, finding the course useful for their work and helping them visualize data effectively. While generally well-received for its foundational content, some learners noted that the course is geared specifically towards beginner-level users and may not cover advanced or complex scenarios in depth.

Primarily focuses on basic methods.

"While great for beginners, it doesn't really dive into more advanced charting techniques or data analysis."

"As advertised, it's for beginners. Intermediate users might find it too basic."

"Covers fundamental charts and graphics, but not complex data visualization needs."

"Good overview, but lacks depth for advanced customization or specific complex chart types."

Covers core chart & graphic creation.

"It is really good to get a comprehensive view of different chart types and how to make them."

"Covers the basics of creating different charts and using SmartArt effectively."

"Provides a solid foundation for working with charts and graphical objects in Excel."

"Learned a lot about formatting charts and making them look professional."

Instructor explains topics clearly.

"The instructor explains everything clearly and takes you through each step carefully."

"Very structured and provides step-by-step guides on creating various chart types."

"Appreciate the detailed instructions on how to create specific charts like the Gantt chart."

"Good pace and detailed explanations made it easy to grasp the concepts."

Learn skills directly applicable to work.

"I have found this course very useful for my work. It helps me visualize my data easily and quickly."

"Really helped me understand how to use charts and graphs in my reports. Very practical and useful."

"Great practical advice on how to create and customize charts for presentations."

"This course is useful for those who want to make smart and dynamic charts on their worksheet for presenting data."

Excellent starting point for novice users.

"This course was very clear, and I felt like it walked me through the steps very well. It was great for someone who is just starting out."

"Very helpful for a beginner! Goes slowly and gives clear explanations for all of the elements of charts and how to edit them."

"Easy to follow, clear and concise. This is a great course for beginners in Excel charting."

"Great course for beginners. I highly recommend it for anyone who wants to get started with charts and graphs."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Excel Charts & Graphs and SmartArt Graphics for Beginners with these activities:

Review Basic Excel Functions

Show steps

Reinforce your understanding of fundamental Excel functions, which are essential for creating effective charts and graphs.

Browse courses on SUM

Show steps

Watch tutorials on basic Excel functions.
Practice using these functions in a spreadsheet.
Complete a quiz on basic Excel functions.

Review 'Excel Charts' by John Walkenbach

Show steps

Deepen your understanding of advanced charting techniques with a comprehensive guide.

View Excel 2019 Bible on Amazon

Show steps

Read the chapters relevant to the course topics.
Try out the examples provided in the book.
Take notes on key concepts and techniques.

Recreate Charts from Sample Datasets

Show steps

Improve your chart creation skills by recreating charts from provided datasets.

Show steps

Find sample datasets online.
Identify the chart type used in the sample.
Recreate the chart in Excel using the dataset.

Four other activities

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Follow Advanced Excel Charting Tutorials

Show steps

Enhance your skills by following tutorials on advanced charting techniques in Excel.

Show steps

Search for tutorials on advanced Excel charting techniques.
Follow the tutorials step-by-step.
Practice the techniques on your own data.

Write a Blog Post on Choosing the Right Chart Type

Show steps

Solidify your understanding of chart types by explaining when to use each type in a blog post.

Show steps

Research different chart types and their uses.
Write a blog post explaining when to use each chart type.
Include examples of each chart type.
Publish the blog post online.

Create a Dashboard with Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

Show steps

Apply your knowledge by building a dashboard that visualizes KPIs using Excel charts and SmartArt.

Show steps

Identify relevant KPIs for a specific business scenario.
Gather data related to the chosen KPIs.
Create charts and SmartArt to visualize the data.
Design a dashboard layout for easy interpretation.

Review 'Storytelling with Data' by Cole Nussbaumer Knaflic

Show steps

Learn how to present data effectively by creating compelling stories with your charts and graphs.

View Daphne Draws Data: A Storytelling with Data... on Amazon

Show steps

Read the book and take notes on key concepts.
Apply the principles to your own charts and graphs.
Share your work with others and get feedback.

Career center

Learners who complete Excel Charts & Graphs and SmartArt Graphics for Beginners will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Web Analytics Developer

Web Analytics Developers use data and data visualization to assess the performance of web sites. This course on Excel Charts & Graphical Objects is useful. Gaining the ability to quickly and easily create charts and other graphical objects allows a Web Analytics Developer to make key presentations and show others on the team what they have found. Furthermore, they will have a better understanding of which charts to pick. This course will improve their skills in these areas.

See salaries and explore the career path for Web Analytics Developer

Data Analyst

The role of a Data Analyst involves interpreting data and transforming it into actionable insights, frequently visualizing data to aid understanding. This course on Excel Charts and Graphical Objects may be useful, as it helps build a foundation in creating various types of charts and graphs within Excel, a key tool for many data analysts. Knowing how to build combination, picture, thermometer, or gauge charts, as taught in this course, allows a Data Analyst to visualize data in ways that are easily comprehensible to stakeholders. Moreover, understanding graphical objects enhances the ability to present data effectively. For aspiring data analysts, the course provides practical skills in data visualization using Excel.

See salaries and explore the career path for Data Analyst

Business Intelligence Analyst

A Business Intelligence Analyst analyzes market trends and provides insights to improve business decisions, often using visualization tools and dashboards. Since this role requires strong data visualization skills, this course on Excel Charts and Graphical Objects helps build a foundation. The ability to create combo charts, picture charts, and comparative charts, detailed in the course, enables a Business Intelligence Analyst to present complex data in a clear and understandable manner. Additionally, learning to work with SmartArt graphics and other graphical objects, as covered in the course, enhances the analyst's presentation skills. Studying this course provides practical skills in creating effective business intelligence reports using Excel.

See salaries and explore the career path for Business Intelligence Analyst

Financial Analyst

Financial Analysts evaluate financial data, create reports, and provide recommendations, often relying on charts and graphs to communicate findings. This course covering Excel Charts helps build a foundation in effectively visualizing financial data. Being able to create thermometer charts, gauge charts, and comparative charts, as demonstrated in the course, allows a Financial Analyst to present financial performance and trends clearly. Moreover, gaining proficiency in using graphical objects ensures that presentations are engaging and informative. Aspiring financial analysts benefit from the practical skills learned on creating compelling financial visuals using Excel.

See salaries and explore the career path for Financial Analyst

Market Research Analyst

A Market Research Analyst studies market conditions, consumer behavior, and competitor activity to advise companies on marketing strategies. Visualization skills are crucial for presenting research findings, making this course on Excel Charts beneficial. The ability to create various chart types, including combo charts and comparative charts, detailed in the course, enables a Market Research Analyst to present data insights effectively. Furthermore, learning to use graphical objects enhances the analyst's ability to create compelling reports and presentations. Enrolling in this course provides practical skills in data visualization for market research using Excel.

See salaries and explore the career path for Market Research Analyst

Management Consultant

Management Consultants advise organizations on improving performance and efficiency, often requiring the presentation of complex data in a clear and concise manner. This course on Excel Charts may be useful since the course helps build a foundation in data visualization. The ability to create and customize charts, including combo charts and Gantt charts, as taught in the course, enables a Management Consultant to present findings and recommendations effectively. Additionally, learning to use graphical objects enhances the visual appeal of presentations. For aspiring consultants, this course provides practical skills in data presentation using Excel.

See salaries and explore the career path for Management Consultant

Project Manager

Project Managers oversee projects from initiation to completion, often using visual tools to track progress and communicate with stakeholders. This course on Excel Charts & Graphical Objects can be useful, as it introduces Gantt charts, a key tool for project scheduling and tracking. Learning how to create and customize Gantt charts, as demonstrated in the course, allows a Project Manager to visualize project timelines and milestones effectively. Additionally, the course enhances skills in using graphical objects to create visually appealing project reports. Taking this course provides practical skills in project visualization using Excel.

See salaries and explore the career path for Project Manager

Business Development Manager

Business Development Managers identify growth opportunities and develop strategies to expand a company’s market presence. This course on Excel Charts & Graphical Objects can be helpful, as it enhances skills in presenting data to stakeholders. The ability to create comparative charts, picture charts, and other visuals, as taught in the course, enables a Business Development Manager to present market analysis and sales data effectively. Furthermore, the course's focus on graphical objects improves the visual impact of presentations and reports. Learning this course provides practical skills in data visualization for business development using Excel.

See salaries and explore the career path for Business Development Manager

Sales Analyst

Sales Analysts examine sales performance and identify trends to improve sales strategies. This course on Excel Charts & Graphical Objects may be helpful, as it helps build skills in visualizing sales data. The ability to create combo charts, thermometer charts, and comparative charts, as detailed in the course, allows a Sales Analyst to present sales metrics and performance indicators effectively. Additionally, learning to use SmartArt graphics enhances the visual communication of sales insights. This course provides practical skills in data visualization for sales analysis using Excel.

See salaries and explore the career path for Sales Analyst

Marketing Analyst

Marketing Analysts assess marketing campaign performance and identify areas for improvement, using data visualization to communicate findings. This course on Excel Charts & Graphical Objects may be useful, as it helps build a foundation in creating compelling visuals. The ability to create various chart types, including picture charts and comparative charts, as taught in the course, allows a Marketing Analyst to present campaign results and marketing metrics effectively. Learning how to use graphical objects enhances the analyst's ability to create engaging reports. Enrolling in this course provides practical skills in data visualization for marketing analysis using Excel.

See salaries and explore the career path for Marketing Analyst

Human Resources Analyst

Human Resources Analysts collect and analyze HR data to improve employee performance, retention, and recruitment. This course on Excel Charts & Graphical Objects might be useful, as it develops skills in visualizing HR metrics. The ability to create charts to represent employee demographics, performance metrics, and training outcomes allows a Human Resources Analyst to present HR data effectively. Additionally, the course's instruction on using graphical objects enhances presentation skills. This course provides practical skills in data visualization for human resources using Excel.

See salaries and explore the career path for Human Resources Analyst

Research Associate

Research Associates often work in academic or industry settings, assisting with data collection, analysis, and presentation. This course on Excel Charts & Graphical Objects may be useful, as it helps build a foundation in creating visual representations of data. The ability to create and customize charts, including scatter plots and comparative charts, as taught in the course, enables a Research Associate to present research findings effectively. Moreover, learning to use graphical objects enhances the visual appeal of research reports. Enrolling in this course provides valuable skills in data visualization for research using Excel.

See salaries and explore the career path for Research Associate

Operations Analyst

Operations Analysts analyze operational data to improve efficiency, reduce costs, and enhance productivity, often using visualization tools to identify bottlenecks and opportunities. This course on Excel Charts & Graphical Objects might be useful, as it helps build a foundation in creating visual representations of operational performance. The ability to create charts, including combo charts and gauge charts, as taught in the course, enables an Operations Analyst to present key performance indicators effectively. Furthermore, learning to use graphical objects enhances the visual communication of operational insights. Attending this course provides practical skills in data visualization for operations analysis using Excel.

See salaries and explore the career path for Operations Analyst

Grant Writer

Grant Writers research funding opportunities and prepare proposals to secure financial support for organizations. This course on Excel Charts & Graphical Objects may be helpful, as well-crafted visuals can strengthen the impact of a grant proposal. The ability to create charts to illustrate project needs, outcomes, and budgets, as taught in the course, allows a Grant Writer to present information effectively. Moreover, learning to use graphical objects enhances the visual appeal of proposals. This course provides practical skills in data visualization for grant writing using Excel.

See salaries and explore the career path for Grant Writer

Actuary

Actuaries assess and manage financial risks using statistical analysis and modeling, often requiring the presentation of complex data in a clear manner. This course on Excel Charts & Graphical Objects may be helpful, as it helps build a foundation in data visualization. The ability to create and customize charts, including scatter plots and histograms, enables an Actuary to present risk assessments and financial projections effectively. Learning to use graphical objects enhances the visual components of reports. Aspiring actuaries could use the course to hone practical skills in data presentation using Excel.

See salaries and explore the career path for Actuary

Reading list

We've selected two books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in Excel Charts & Graphs and SmartArt Graphics for Beginners.

Daphne Draws Data

Save

Focuses on the principles of effective data visualization and communication. It teaches you how to create compelling stories with your data, making your charts and graphs more impactful. It valuable resource for anyone who wants to improve their data presentation skills. This book is commonly used by industry professionals.

Daphne Draws Data: A Storytelling with Data...

Hardcover

Excel 2019 Bible

Save

Provides a comprehensive guide to creating advanced charts in Excel. It covers a wide range of chart types and customization options, offering in-depth explanations and practical examples. It useful reference for those looking to expand their knowledge beyond the basics covered in the course. This book is commonly used by industry professionals.

Excel Charts & Graphs and SmartArt Graphics for Beginners

What's inside

Syllabus

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Reviews summary

Foundational excel charts & graphics

Activities

Career center

Reading list

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