Data Series and Other Chart Elements in Excel
Data Point: A single value located in a worksheet cell plotted in a chart or graph. Data Marker: A column, dot, pie slice, or another symbol in the chart representing a data value. For example, in a line graph, each point on the line is a data marker representing a single data value located in a worksheet cell. Data Label: Provides information about individual data markers, such as the value being graphed either as a number or as a percent. Commonly used data labels in spreadsheet programs include:
Numeric Values: Taken from individual data points in the worksheet. Series Names: Identifies the columns or rows of chart data in the worksheet. Series names are commonly used for column charts, bar charts, and line graphs. Category Names: Identifies the individual data points in a single series of data. These are commonly used for pie charts. Percentage Labels: Calculated by dividing the individual fields in a series by the total value of the series. Percentage labels are commonly used for pie charts.
Data Series: A group of related data points or markers that are plotted in charts and graphs. Examples of a data series include individual lines in a line graph or columns in a column chart. When multiple data series are plotted in one chart, each data series is identified by a unique color or shading pattern. In column or bar charts, if multiple columns or bars are the same color or have the same picture (in the case of a pictograph), they comprise a single data series. Pie charts are typically restricted to a single data series per chart. The individual slices of the pie are data markers and not a series of data.
Modify Individual Data Markers
When you want to call attention to a specific data marker, make it look different from the rest of the group. All you need to do is change the formatting of the data marker.
Change the Color of a Single Column
The color of a single column in a column chart or a single point in a line graph can be changed without affecting the other points in the series. A data marker that is a different color than the rest of the group will pop out on the chart.
Highlight Data with an Exploding Pie Chart
Individual slices of a pie chart are usually different colors. So, emphasizing a single portion or data point needs a different approach from columns and line charts. You can highlight pie charts by exploding out a single slice of pie from the graph.
Add Emphasis With a Combo Chart
Another option for emphasizing different types of information in a chart is to display two or more chart types in a single chart, such as a column chart and a line graph. You could use this approach when the graphed values vary widely or when graphing different types of data. A typical example is a climograph or climate graph, which combines precipitation and temperature data for a single location on one chart. Additionally, combination or combo charts are created by plotting one or more data series on a secondary vertical or Y-axis.
