MICROSOFT EXCEL BASICS

Scatter Plots

  1. Click on the Microsoft Excel icon found under the START button, PROGRAMS, MICROSOFT OFFICE. Excel allows you to manipulate data and create graphs.
  1. You will see a spreadsheet. This is where you enter all of your data. Each box of the spreadsheet is called a cell. Cells are defined by their column and row location in the spreadsheet. Data found in the fifth row of the third column is said to be in cell C5.

  1. In column A, type the values of the independent axis (x-axis) starting at row 1 (A1).
  2. In column B, type the values of the dependent axis (y-axis) starting at row 1 (B1). Columns A and B represent your ordered pairs (A,B).
  3. Format the cells to represent the proper number of decimal places. Highlight the column of data you want to manipulate by right clicking on the column letter and select FORMAT CELLS from the menu list.

  1. Select the NUMBER tab and select the proper number of decimal places.

  1. Highlight the cells you want to include in your graph. This should include all the data entered under columns A and B. To highlight these cells, click on cell A1 and while holding the mouse button down, drag the mouse pointer over the other cells you wish to include. The highlighted cells will change color when they are selected. Highlight only the cells you want to include in your graph. There can be no empty cells.
  2. Now create a chart by clicking on INSERT from the tool bar and selecting CHART.

  1. Select XY (SCATTER) to choose the type of graph you wish to create. You can also select the sub-type of chart.

  1. Click NEXT to continue.
  2. To continue to use the data selected, click NEXT again.
  3. Select the TITLES tab. This screen allows you to title the graph, label the x-axis, and label the y-axis.

  1. Select the GRIDLINES tab. This screen allows you to include major/minor gridlines.
  1. Select the LEGEND tab. This screen allows you to include a legend if multiple sets of data are displayed.
  1. After all of your preferences have been set, click NEXT to continue.
  2. Now you need to decide where to place your graph. Click on AS NEW SHEET to create a separate screen for your chart.
  1. Now you need to draw a line of best-fit. Right click on one of the data points of your graph. Select ADD TREND LINE from the menu list.
  1. Click on the LINEAR box to draw a linear line of best-fit or regression line.
  1. Click on the OPTIONS tab to include the equation and r-squared value on the graph.
  1. Click OK to see your graph with a trend line, equation, and r-squared value.
  2. Click once on the title and add your name below the title.
  3. Make the graph fill up the paper. Eliminate white space above and below the graph. Right click on any x-axis value and select FORMAT AXIS from the menu list.
  4. Select the SCALE tab and choose an appropriate range for the maximum and minimum values. Choose major units. Minor units are typically half of the major units. Click OK to see your graph.
  1. Right click on any y-axis value and repeat the above steps to set the scale for the y-axis. Click OK to see your edited graph.
  2. Right click on the grey background of your graph. Change to “no-fill” to eliminate the grey background.

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