Lesson 4.
Creating a Line Chart
Overview
Line charts are another type of chart typically used to show how trends change over time. Line charts display
information as a series of data points called “markers,” which are connected by straight line segments. Some
examples of uses for line charts include displaying how temperatures change from month to month, the
increase of the population over the years, and more.
Before creating line charts, be sure that your data is formatted correctly as numbers so that Sheets knows
how to plot your data. Changing the format of a group of cells in this way will make entering data easier and
will change the way information is displayed and handled in a spreadsheet.
Your Task
In this lesson, you will format cells in a spreadsheet and create a line chart to illustrate data about March
Madness. You will also insert and resize an image to visually enhance the worksheet.
Skills
Format Numbers • Create a Line Chart • Insert an Image • Resize an Image • Apply a Theme
Instructions
1. A Google Sheets file has been provided for this assignment. Click on "My Document," and then click "Edit" to open
1. In
theyour My
file in fullSheets folder, create a new spreadsheet and rename it Lesson 4.6.
screen.
2. Key the data as shown in Figure 4.6 A. Resize Column D to fit cell contents.
3. Merge cells A1-E1, then center align, bold, and change the font size to 24.
4. Bold row 3. After adding bold, resize Columns B, C, D and E to fit cell contents, if necessary.
5. Format Numbers. To format cells as numbers using a comma separator, select cells B4-E6, then from the
Format menu, select Number, then select Number.
Note: Explore the other available number formats in the Format menu, Number section.
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Creating a Line Chart Lesson 4.6
6. Decrease the decimal places to display whole numbers.
7. Create a Line Chart. To create a line chart to show trends over time, do the following:
a. Select cells A3-E6, then from the Insert menu, select Chart.
b. In the Chart editor panel, Setup tab, Chart type drop-down menu, select the Line chart thumbnail.
c. Check Switch rows / columns, Use column A as headers, and Use row 3 as labels.
d. From the Customize tab, Chart & axis titles drop-down menu, key [March Madness Viewership] in the
Title text field.
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Lesson 4.6 Creating a Line Chart
e. To add a title to the vertical axis, change the Chart title drop-down menu to Vertical axis title, then in
the Title text field, key [Number of Viewers].
f. To add a title to the horizontal axis, change the Chart title drop-down menu to Horizontal axis title,
then in the Title text field, key [Time of Day].
g. From the Customize tab, Legend drop-down menu, click the Position drop-down menu and select Right.
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Creating a Line Chart Lesson 4.6
h. Close the Chart editor.
8. To reposition your chart so that all data is displayed, select the chart, then click and drag to move it to the
approximate position
below the data, below
beginning theA14.
in cell data as shown in Figure 4.6 B.
9. Insert an Image. To insert an image into your spreadsheet, do the following:
a. In cell A9, from the Insert menu, select Image, then select Insert image over cells.
b. In the Insert image dialog box, click the Google Images tab and key [march madness] in the Search in
Google Images field, then hit Enter.
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Lesson 4.6 Creating a Line Chart
c. Locate an image similar to the one shown in Figure 4.6 B. Click the image, then click Insert.
10. Resize an Image. To resize an image larger or smaller, do the following:
a. Select the image, then place your cursor over the bottom right-hand corner until it becomes a double-
sided diagonal arrow. Click and drag the bottom right-hand corner until it fits approximately over cells
A9-E11.
Hint: To move the image, hover over the image until a hand icon appears, then position as shown.
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Creating a Line Chart Lesson 4.6
11. Apply a Theme. To change the fonts and colors used by default through the sheet, including in charts, do
the following:
a. From the Format menu, select Theme.
b. Select Streamline to apply the theme, then notice that the font has changed to Verdana and the
background and line colors of the chart have changed.
Note: If this theme is not available, select a theme of your choice.
Note: Changing the theme will also change the default colors available to select for font, fills, charts, etc.
12. After
Proofread your
applying thespreadsheet
theme, resizefor accuracy
Columns and
B, C, format.
D and E to fit cell contents.
13. Print preview and remove the gridlines.
14. Your spreadsheet should look similar to Figure 4.6 B.
15. Share
Submitor print your spreadsheet
Assignment. if required.
Return to Schoology and click the "Submit Assignment" button.
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Lesson 4.6 Creating a Line Chart
Figure 4.6 A
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Figure 4.6 B
Total Viewers by Network
Network Early Afternoon Late Afternoon Early Prime Time Late Prime Time
CBS 1,300,000 1,500,000 3,430,000 2,000,000
TNT 1,040,000 1,800,000 3,400,000 1,400,000
TBS 1,010,000 1,970,000 2,000,000 1,850,000
Creating a Line Chart
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Lesson 4.6
207
