Learn how to make a graph in Google Sheets in 3 easy steps! A spreadsheet makes it easy to compile all of your data into one place. But even reading and understanding all of those can get quite difficult. That’s when graphs come into play. Processing your spreadsheets becomes so much simpler when you incorporate detailed graphs and charts into them. In this article, we will tell you how to create a graph in Google Sheets so that you can get a visual representation of your data to make them more comprehensible.

Graphs can help you deliver a conclusion much better than a simple list of numbers put together. When you detail it accordingly, it makes it possible for the reader, even one with no prior knowledge, to grasp complicated ideas like comparing certain quantities or following a trend. In Google Sheets, an added benefit of using graphs is that you can further customize them to suit your preferences.

Now, before we begin with the steps for how to make a graph in Google Sheets, note that it is preferable to create and edit your charts with Google Sheets in Chrome on a computer. The Google Sheets apps for phones offer a smaller number of charts and fewer chart display customizations than on the web. But of course, if you can work with the limited options, then this app is as good as any. Read on to know more about how to make a graph in google sheets. So with that out of the way now, let’s get started!

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HOW TO MAKE A GRAPH IN GOOGLE SHEETS : INSERT A GRAPH

Google Sheets offers the option for you to create different types of graphs, from the most basic line and bar charts to more complex candlestick and radar charts. To achieve the first step to make a graph in Google Sheets, you can follow the steps below:

1. Open your spreadsheet in Google Sheets 
2. Select the data you want to use to create your chart. 
3. Click on Insert from the menu at the top. 
4. Then select Chart to create your chart. 
5. A basic line chart is created using your data, with a tool window for Chart Editor on the right.
6. If you don’t want to keep the chart on the same page as your source data, you can select the chart, then click the three dots in the upper-right corner of the graph for menu options and choose Move To Own Sheet. 

How to make a graph in Google Sheets : ADJUST SETUP

In the second step to make a graph in Google Sheets, you can use the Chart Editor tool if you want to modify the chart settings. In case this doesn’t appear on the right automatically, double-click your chart to display the menu or select the three dots in the upper-right corner of the chart, then choose Edit Chart.

1. In the Setup tab, click on Chart type.
2. A drop down menu appears where you can choose the type of chart that accurately portrays the selected data.
3. Depending on your requirements, there is a wide variety of available options. For example, a line chart can show data changes over time, bar and column charts let you compare quantities and pie charts indicate portions of a total. Once selected, your chart will change to match this new chart type.

How to make a graph in Google Sheets : CUSTOMIZE DISPLAY

This is the third step to make a graph in google sheets. The options for customizing chart display will vary according to your selected chart type and setup settings. You can click on a feature of your chart to select and modify its settings within the Chart Editor window.

Although note that the charts, which are newly created, will generate titles using the column headers from the data range you’ve selected. If it hasn’t, you can select it from the provided drop-down menu. You can edit this after the chart is created, as well as add additional axis titles to make your chart easier to understand.

1. In the Chart Editor tool, click the Customize tab. 
2. Select Chart & Axis Titles to display the submenu.
3. Click on the Chart title and edit it to your liking in the Title Text box. Your chart title will automatically change once you’ve finished typing. 
4. You can also edit the font, size, and formatting of your text using the options below the Title Text box.
5. For adding titles to individual chart axes, you can select Horizontal Axis Title to add a title to the bottom axis or Vertical Axis Title to add a title to the axis on the left or right of your chart, depending on your chart type.
6. You can customize the font and formatting options for your axis title using the options below the Title Text box.
7. To change the colors, fonts and the style for your chart, you can select the Chart Style option.
8. You can now choose different chart border colors, fonts, and background colors from the drop-down menus. These options may vary, depending on the type of chart that you’ve selected.

How to make a graph in Google Sheets – MINI GRAPHS

This is the last way to make a graph in Google Sheets. Google Sheets also includes the ability to make sparklines. A sparkline is a graph which is contained entirely within a cell. It makes the data easier to understand at a glance. You can create and display sparklines both in Google Sheets on the web, as well as in the Google Sheets apps on your phones.

To create a sparkline, you can follow the steps given below:

1. Select the cell where you want the sparkline to display, then enter: =SPARKLINE(
2. Choose a cell range with your required data and type in the cell range. After you specify the range, enter a closing parenthesis. For example, the function should be displayed as: =SPARKLINE(C3:H3)
3. Since the sparklines function also supports custom line settings, colors and bar and column charts, you can customize it by adding your requirements within the parenthesis. For example: SPARKLINE(B1:B6, {“charttype”,”column”; “axis”, true; “axiscolor”, “red”})

Once you are done with everything, you have the option to either publish or download your resulting graph. You can select the Publish Chart button while on the chart sheet to make your chart (or the entire sheet, if you want) available with a link on the web. Or you can choose Download Chart to save your chart as a PNG, PDF, or SVG file. (Source: TechRepublic)

Conclusion

Compared to other chart based apps, Google Sheets is interactive in nature. It lets you create graphs collaboratively with other people every step of the way whether it is to enter data or to select the cells for charting or to test out different chart types. So it becomes easy for you to create an error free spreadsheet.

Also, it is very recommendable to consider graph adjustments for fonts, colours, labels, etc. A graph’s purpose is to simplify data so that it is easy to read. And not having the appropriate tags defeats the purpose of that graph. Therefore it is important to refine the display to optimize chart readability.

For example, a larger font size can help make text easier to read, proper data labels can enhance the level of detail your chart provides and appropriately contrasted colors can make it easier to distinguish and compare the data of your chart.