How to Create Axis Bar Graphs in Excel

1. Open Microsoft Excel. Start with a new document or load an existing spreadsheet with data you wish to analyze.
2. Organize the data in a row structure. If you are creating a new spreadsheet, type different items of the same data set over many rows within the same column. For example, if you wish to graph daily temperature changes, create a column heading called 'Temperature' in cell A1. Then, type each day's weather below it in cells A2, A3 and on down through column A. Do not skip any rows.
3. Click on any cell within the data column so Excel recognizes the active set of data. It is not necessary to highlight or select the data, as Excel can easily recognize where the list begins and ends.
4. Click the 'Chart' button on the tool bar. Optionally, click on the 'Insert' menu and choose the 'Chart' option. A pop-up window will appear.
5. Select the chart type you wish from the list. To create a conventional bar graph, choose either the 'bar' or 'column' graph types. Both create a bar chart, but change the angle of the bars to either horizontal or vertical.
6. Select a chart sub-type from the selection to the right of the chart type list. This selection changes depending on the chart type you choose. Bar charts can be presented in a three-dimensional view or with various forms of color shading.
7. Press the 'Next' button.
8. Choose the 'Rows' option, since your data exists within a row structure. A preview of the final chart will appear in the window.
9. Press the 'Next' button.
10. Add an additional explanation to either axis. The column heading of column A is automatically selected as the 'X' axis title. You may offer additional wording to describe the axis in the 'Category X Axis' field, if desired, to maintain full control over the axis of the bar graph.
11. Press the 'Finish' button. Your bar graph is now created in Excel.