How to Create a Chart in Microsoft Word

Charts help you present numerical data in a graphical format, making it much easier to understand large amounts of information. You can also use charts to show relationships between different data series.

A component of Microsoft's office suite, the Word program, also allows you to create charts. We will describe how to do this below.

Note: The presence on the computer of the Microsoft Excel software product installed provides advanced features for building diagrams in Word 2003, 2007, 2010 - 2016. If Excel is not installed, Microsoft Graph is used to create diagrams. The chart in this case will be presented with related data (table). In this table, you can not only enter your data, but also import them from a text document, or even paste them from other programs.

There are two ways to add a chart to Word - embed it in a document or insert an Excel chart that will be linked to the data on an Excel sheet. The difference between these charts is where the data they contain is stored and how it is updated immediately after being inserted into MS Word.

Note: Some charts require a specific arrangement of data on an MS Excel sheet.

How to insert a chart by embedding it in a document?

An Excel chart embedded in Word will not change even if the source file is changed. Objects that have been embedded in the document become part of the file, ceasing to be part of the source.

Given that all data is stored in a Word document, it is especially useful to use embedding in cases where you do not need to change this very data, taking into account the source file. Also, embedding is best used when you do not want users who will work with the document later to have to update all related information.

1. Click with the left mouse button in the place of the document where you want to add the chart.

2. Go to the tab "Insert".

3. In a group "Illustrations" select "Diagram".

4. In the dialog that appears, select the desired chart and click "OK".

5. Not only the chart will appear on the sheet, but also Excel, which will be in a split window. It will also display sample data.

6. Replace the sample data provided in the Excel split window with the values ​​you need. In addition to data, you can replace examples of axis labels ( Column 1) and legend name ( Line 1).

7. After you enter the required data in the Excel window, click on the symbol "Changing data in Microsoft Excel» and save the document: "File" — "Save as".

8. Select a location to save the document and enter the desired name.

This is just one of the possible methods by which you can make a chart according to a table in Word.

How to add a linked Excel chart to a document?

This method allows you to create a chart directly in Excel, in an external sheet of the program, and then simply paste its associated version into MS Word. The data contained in the linked chart will be updated when changes/updates are made to the outer sheet in which it is stored. Word itself stores only the location of the source file, displaying the associated data presented in it.

This charting approach is especially useful when you need to include information in your document for which you are not responsible. This may be data collected by another person who will update it as necessary.

1. Cut out the chart from Excel. This can be done by pressing the keys "Ctrl+X" or with the mouse: select the chart and click "Cut out"(group "Clipboard", tab "Home").

2. In a Word document, click where you want to insert the chart.

3. Insert a chart using the keys "Ctrl+V" or select the appropriate command in the control panel: "Insert".

4. Save the document with the chart inserted into it.

Note: Changes you make to the original Excel document (outer sheet) will immediately appear in the Word document where you inserted the chart. To update the data when the file is reopened after closing it, you will need to confirm the data update (button "Yes").

In a specific example, we examined a pie chart in Word, but in this way you can make a chart of any type, whether it is a graph with columns, as in the previous example, a histogram, a bubble chart, or any other.

Change the layout or style of a chart

You can always change the look of a chart you have created in Word. It is not at all necessary to manually add new elements, change them, format them - there is always the possibility of using a ready-made style or layout, of which there are a lot in the arsenal of Microsoft's program. Each layout or style can always be manually changed and customized to meet the necessary or desired requirements, and you can work with each individual element of the chart in the same way.

How to apply a ready layout?

1. Click on the chart you want to edit and go to the tab "Constructor" located in the main tab "Working with charts".

2. Select the chart layout you want to use (Group "Chart Layouts").

3. The layout of your chart will change.

How to apply a preset style?

1. Click on the chart you want to apply the preset style to and go to the tab "Constructor".

2. Choose the style you want to use for your group chart "Chart Styles".

3. Changes will immediately be reflected in your diagram.

This way you can change your charts on the fly, choosing the appropriate layout and style, depending on what is required at the moment. For example, you can create several different templates to work with and then modify from them instead of creating new ones. (we'll talk about how to save charts as a template below). For example, you have a graph with columns or a pie chart, by choosing the appropriate layout, you can make a percentage chart out of it in Word.

How to manually change chart layouts?

1. Click on the chart or individual element whose layout you want to change. You can do it the other way too:

• Click anywhere on the diagram to activate the tool "Working with charts".
• In the tab "Format", group "Current Fragment" click on the arrow next to "Chart elements", after which you can select the desired item.

2. Tab "Constructor", in Group "Chart Layouts" click on the first item "Add Chart Element".

3. From the drop-down menu, select what you want to add or change.

Note: The layout options you choose and/or change will only apply to the selected chart element. If you have selected the entire diagram, for example, the parameter "Data Labels" will be applied to all content. If only a data point is selected, the changes will be applied exclusively to it.

How to manually change the format of chart elements?

1. Click on the chart or its individual element whose style you want to change.

2. Go to the tab "Format" section "Working with charts" and perform the required action:

How to save a chart as a template?

It often happens that the diagram you created may be needed in the future, exactly the same or its analogue, this is not so important. In this case, it is best to save the diagram as a template - this will simplify and speed up work in the future.

To do this, simply right-click on the chart and select "Save as template".

In the window that appears, select a save location, give the desired file name, and click "Save".

That's all, now you know how to make any diagram in Word, embedded or linked, having a different appearance, which, by the way, can always be changed and adjusted to your needs or necessary requirements. We wish you productive work and effective learning.