Most people think of rows and columns of data when they think of Excel. In fact, when many think of Excel, they think of Mark Twain’s saying “Lies, damned lies, and statistics.” As users of Excel charting, the authors want to make sure that your data doesn’t fall into the “damned lies” category. We want you to be able to tell the story from your data in ways that everyone can understand.
Excel 2007 Charts Made Easy is meant to change how you think about the data and the stories that data tells. In this book, we are going to help you learn not just how to make your charts, but also which charts to make.
The authors have drawn on their experience to create scenarios that you would find in the real world. Many of these scenarios are based on things the authors have encountered during their years of working with Excel. We have used these scenarios to help you determine which charts you will want to use with your data. But we know that the data alone won’t help you understand Excel charts.
In order to truly understand how data fits into the different types of charts, we feel that you need to see the data and the charts built from it. So each chapter contains sample data and sample charts. You can find the actual Excel files on the web site associated with this book (www.mhprofessional.com). Use the sample files to help you learn more about how to make your charts amazing.
Excel 2007 Charts Made Easy is not made for you to read straight through, although you can. When you need to create a chart and aren’t quite sure which one will fit your data best, pick up this book and use it to help you figure out what chart to create. When you need to expand your understanding of something in the charting world, pick up this book. When you know that there is a way to change that little piece that doesn’t look right, pick up this book.
