In general, a chart is a graphical representation of data. Charts allow users to see what the results of data to better understand and predict current and future data. The picture below contains an example of a column chart displaying the number of unique visitors Computer Hope has received between the years of 2000 and 2006. In this example, you’ll notice a gentle increase of users without reading any data.

Types of charts

There are a wide variety of charts available to display data. The list below contains those that are popular and supported by many programs.

  • Area chart
  • Bar chart
  • Column chart
  • Excel sparklines
  • Flow chart
  • Gantt chart
  • Graph
  • Line chart
  • Pie chart
  • Point chart

Embedded chart vs. Chart sheet

In Microsoft Excel and other spreadsheet programs, there are two types of charts: an embedded chart and chart sheet. An embedded chart is a chart object that can be inserted into a worksheet. A chart sheet is a chart that is a sheet of its own.

To insert an embedded chart, use the Insert option in the spreadsheet program you have available to you.

To insert a chart sheet, right-click the worksheet tabs at the bottom of the worksheet and click Insert and then Chart.

Axis, Histogram, Spreadsheet terms, Statistics, X-axis, Y-axis

  • How to create a chart or graph in Excel, Calc, or Sheets.
  • How to create a chart or graph in Microsoft Word.
  • How to add, modify, and remove a chart in PowerPoint.