How To Format A Graph In Excel

Excel Graph Formatting Guide

Selecting the Right Chart Type

Choose a chart type in Excel that best represents your data and the problem you are solving. Prioritize bar charts for long axis labels or duration values and scatter charts for large datasets or when requiring a logarithmic scale.

Chart Customization Tools

Customize your Excel charts using the Chart Task Pane to adjust various elements like titles and legends. Avoid Excel defaults; instead, tailor your charts using formatting options available in Excel, Word, and PowerPoint.

Color and Emphasis

Apply color strategically in your chart. Utilize soft colors for general data and saturated colors sparingly for significant emphasis. Refrain from emphasizing all elements to maintain clarity.

Axis and Scale Configuration

Keep numerical axes starting at zero to preserve data integrity unless an exception clarifies the chart. Use consistent intervals and avoid cropping axes unless necessary to conceal data.

Text and Labelling

Select a clear font for your chart text. Avoid excessive labeling of data points which can obscure trends, and ensure titles are clear and descriptive. Validate data integrity with data validation for consistency.

Chart Clarity and Accessibility

Test your charts on various monitors and output formats to ensure readability. Mute the visual noise by graying out axis and grid lines. Never use pseudo-3D charts or dubious effects that can mislead viewers.

Chart Size and Presentation

Employ smaller charts to focus viewers on the relevant data. The design should be straightforward, facilitating quick comprehension of the information presented.

Excel vs. Sourcetable: Streamlined Data Management

Excel is a staple spreadsheet tool developed by Microsoft, with extensive functions for data analysis, budgeting, and manipulation. It shines in versatility, compatibility across various platforms, and the ability to be customized with add-ons and macros. However, it falls short in native data source connectivity and seamless real-time collaboration, requiring tools like OneDrive.

Contrastingly, Sourcetable offers a specialized and contemporary spreadsheet experience tailored for growth teams and business operations. With over 100 integrations, Sourcetable syncs data every 15 minutes, or every 5 minutes on the Pro plan, centralizing data from multiple applications into a user-friendly interface, suitable for users at all skill levels who do not possess coding skills.

Sourcetable's unique AI copilot sets it apart, enabling users with conversational support for formula creation and template design. This feature simplifies advanced data manipulation, making Sourcetable more approachable for modern data management tasks as compared to the traditional Excel setup.

Cost-wise, Excel requires a purchase or an Office 365 subscription, while Sourcetable offers a 14-day free trial with plans starting at $50/month, making it an efficient and cost-effective alternative for those seeking innovative business intelligence capabilities without the steep learning curve.

In conclusion, Sourcetable provides a centralized, easy-to-use, and collaborative solution that excels at data management and reporting, whereas Excel remains a robust tool for in-depth analysis and complex calculations with its vast function library.