Using Excel to Graph Data - Instructions
Using Excel to Graph Data - Instructions
I. Entering Data
a. Open a blank Excel spreadsheet.
b. Highlight the first row of cells; right click and click on merge cells. Type your experiment title in the merged cells. Skip the next row of cells.
c. In column A, cell 3; enter a title for your X-axis data. Then enter the data in the following cells (A4…) that you want for your X-axis. This will be data for your independent variable.
d. In column B, cell 3; enter a title for your Y-axis data. Then enter the data in the following cells (B4…) that you want for your Y-axis. This will be data for your dependent variable.
II. Graphing
a. Once you have entered all of your data, use your cursor to drag and highlight all data in both columns A and B (titles do not need to be included).
b. Next, keeping your data highlighted, use your cursor to click on the “Chart Wizard” icon (picture of a bar graph) or click on “Tools” and then click on “Chart.”
c. Click on “XY (scatter plot)” and click next.
d. A picture of your graph should appear. Click “next” again.
e. On the next window, you can enter the title of your graph, as well as label your x and y axes. You will also want to click on the “gridlines” tab and make sure both the major and minor gridlines for your axes are selected.
f. Click “next” once you have finished entering your graph titles.
g. On the final window, make sure “As object in sheet 1” is selected, then click “next,” and your graph should appear next to your data.
h. If you need a “best-fit line” for your graph, click on one of the data points on the graph, right click, and select “add trend line.” Choose the best-fit line for your graph.
III. Formatting, Details, and Printing
a. To show (and print) gridlines for your data table on Excel you can:
i. Highlight both data columns, including titles.
ii. Right click and then click on “Format Cells.”
iii. Click on the “Border” tab and click both “Outline” and “Inside” under “Presets.”
b. When labeling your data columns, make sure to select “wrap text” to keep your text in one cell. To do this you:
i. Right click on the cell and click on “Format Cell.”
ii. Click on the “Alignment” tab and make sure that “Wrap Text” is selected.
c. You can print both your data table and your graph together, or you can print only your table or graph. To only print your graph, make sure that “chart only” is selected on the print window before printing.
d. If you need to re-label your series, right click on your chart, click on “source data” and choose the “series” tab. You can change your labels under this tab.
IV. Additional Information
a. XY scatter plot will most likely be the type of graph that a majority of you will use for your experiments, especially if you are collecting data that is continuous or occurs over time.
b. However, there may be times when you will need to use a bar graph, especially if you are collecting data that focuses more on comparisons (such as the number of people who eat a certain type of candy bar).
c. You can use Excel for these types of graphs as well. Just make sure you select a column or bar graph instead of an XY scatter plot.
Excel Spreadsheet Rubric – for VJAS Projects or New Data
| | | | | |
|Category |5 |4 |3 |2 |
| |Spreadsheet is set up |Spreadsheet includes graph |Spreadsheet includes graph |Spreadsheet is missing |
| |clearly and is well |and data table, but is |and data table; however, |either the graph or the data|
| |organized. There are no |unorganized (data is not in |some data is missing, |table; spreadsheet is |
|Excel Spreadsheet |apparent errors or |one place, graph is |spreadsheet looks messy, and|unorganized and messy, and |
| |formatting problems. |partially covering data). |there are more than 2 |there are many formatting |
| | |Only 1 or 2 formatting |formatting errors. |errors. |
| | |errors. | | |
| |Data tables and graphs are |Data tables and graphs are |Data table or graph is |Data table and graph are |
| |clearly titled and labeled. |titled; however, research |missing a title; research |missing titles. |
| |Title is directly related to|variables are switched in |variables are switched in | |
|Title and Labels |research variables (the |the title (the effect of |the title. | |
| |effect of independent on |dependent on independent). | | |
| |dependent). | | | |
| |X- and Y-axes are clearly |X- and Y-axes are labeled |X- or Y-axes label is |X- and Y- axes labels are |
| |labeled and include units of|but do not include units of |missing; units of |missing; units of |
| |measurement. Logical |measurement. Logical |measurement are not |measurement are missing; |
|Graph |increments are used along |increments are used along |included; logical increments|logical increments are used |
| |both axes, and series labels|both axes. Series labels are|are used along both axes; |along both axes; series |
| |clearly outline variables |included but incorrect. |series labels are missing. |labels are missing. |
| |observed. | | | |
| |Correct independent and |Independent and dependent |Independent and dependent |Independent and dependent |
| |dependent variables are |variables are identified in |variables are identified in |variables are not identified|
| |identified and labeled along|the data table, but are |the data table but are not |in the data table and are |
|Variables |the X- and Y-axes and in the|labeled incorrectly on the |labeled on the X- and |not labeled on the X- and |
| |data table. |X- and Y-axes. |Y-axes. |Y-axes. |
Rubric for Population Growth Worksheet and Graph
Total Points – 20
| |
|Worksheet, Total Points – 14 |
|Question |Points per Question |Breakdown of Points |
|Question 1 |2 points |½ point for each variable/factor listed |
|Question 2 |2 points |½ point for each variable listed |
|(Independent (IV) and Dependent (DV) variables)| |½ point, each, for correctly identifying IV and|
| | |DV |
|Question 3: | |2 points for correctly labeled data table (IV |
|Data Table |3 points |and DV are correct) |
|3 sets of Data |3 points |1 point for correct units of measurement |
| | |3 points for 3 sets of data |
|Question 4 |2 points |1 point for correct tested variable and |
| | |constant |
| | |1 point for clear and thoughtful analysis of |
| | |data |
|Question 5 |2 points |Reflection is clear and supported with logical |
| | |reasoning |
| |
|Graph, Total Points – 6 |
|Element |Points per Element |Expectations |
|Labeled and titled correctly |1 point |Axes are correctly labeled, title directly |
| | |related to IV and DV |
|Units of Measurement |1 point |Units of measurement are correct and included |
|Appropriate Range |2 points |Logical increments are used on X- and Y-axes |
|Relates directly to Data Table |2 points |Graph directly reflects data collected in data |
| | |table |
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