Before we can even begin to create a diagram, of course, we need a data source from which the diagram is to be formed.

In our example, we have created a small table in which we have shown on the vertical axis 1 year (January – December), and on the horizontal axis fictional casinos with their monthly income.

In order to create a diagram from the available data, we proceed as follows:

• Mark the entire table
• Under the “Insert” tab, click the small arrow on the right in the “Diagrams” column to display all available diagram types

Note:
If you have a large table, you can mark it most quickly by placing it in the cursor in the 1st cell (top left), then holding down the “CTRL + SHIFT” key and then using the arrow keys on the keyboard 1x to the right , and then press down 1x.

This will only mark the area of ​​a worksheet filled with content (without breaks).

See picture: (click to enlarge)

Here you can now choose from the available diagram types which are best suited for your presentation.

In our example, we opted for a classic bar chart. In retrospect, however, that can be changed again at any time.

If you want to zoom in on the chart without having to scroll right and left with your mouse, you can easily move it to a new spreadsheet.

Note:
Of course, the data source will remain untouched, and it will not be a new spreadsheet, just an additional worksheet within a folder.

See picture: (click to enlarge)

As our diagram looks like, it might just go that way, but you can see that the more column values on the X-axis have to be displayed at the same time, the more confusing it will be that too many colors are actually displayed.

But here, too, it has become much easier since Excel 2016 to specifically select individual values for comparison. So instead of having 6 casinos, we can compare only 3 with each other.

• To do this, we click once in an empty area of the diagram
• Select the filter icon from the context menu (to the right)
• Remove the hooks from the unneeded data columns
• Confirm with “Apply”

See picture: (click to enlarge)

As a result, the matter is already much clearer, but on the other hand, of course, also more patchy. Because now we are missing the 3 remaining casinos. Here you can either proceed to simply create a second graph, or you can use the dynamic possibilities depending on which data should be compared.

Also, you can just try a different type of diagram (for example, line or pie chart).