How To Make A Bar Graph  

These are specific directions for Mrs. Alejandre's mathematics students at Frisbie Middle School. Students were given a lesson on making graphs using a Claris Works spreadsheet file. They are to apply what they learned in that lesson as they work on a Team Project involving a survey, data collection and data display.

Enter Data

1. In Column A type in labels for your data. In Column B type in the data.

   

Make Bar Graph

1. Select all of your entries in Column A and B.

   

2. Go to Options, select Make Chart.
3. A window will appear with the different types of graphs.
4. Select Bar and consider the different options at the bottom of the window.

   

   Try them and see which ones enhance your graph. Remember that you are displaying data to present information! Your graph should be clear.

5. Go to Labels, type in your Title.

   

6. Go to Axes, notice that y-axis is selected. Type a name for the y-axis (That is the line going from top to bottom on your graph).

   

7. Select x-axis. Type a name for the x-axis (That is the line going from left to right along the bottom of the graph).

   

8. Now you are ready to make your graph. Select OK.

   

Change Fonts and Colors in Bar Graph

1. To change the font of the title or the legend, click on it once so that it is selected and then go to Format in the menu bar.

   

2. You may change the font, size, style and/or color of the text.
3. Remember that your chart should have clearly displayed information.
4. The colors displayed above are the default colors that Claris Works uses. They can be changed very easily to be colors of your choice.
5. Go to View, select Show Tools.
6. On your graph, select one of the small squares of color by clicking on it once. Use the paint palette. Select a different color and you will see that the original color will be replaced.

   

Return to Spreadsheet Activity