Excel® 2007 Charts

Introduction

Welcome to Excel 2007 Charts. This book is intended for spreadsheet users who want to get the most out of Excel's charting and features. I approached this project with one goal in mind: to write the ultimate Excel charting book that would appeal to users of all levels.

As you probably know, most bookstores offer dozens of Excel books. The vast majority of these books are general-purpose user guides that explain how to use the features available in Excel (often by simply rewording the text in the help files). Most of these books include a chapter or two that cover charts and graphics. None, however, provides the level of detail that you'll find in this book.

I've used Excel for almost 15 years, and I've been creating charts for more than 30 years. Back in the precomputer days, I often spent hours creating a publicationquality chart by hand, using rulers, graph paper, and rub-off lettering. Today, creating such a chart with Excel would require only a few minutes — and would probably look much better.

Many Excel users tend to overlook the powerful charting features available. For many, creating anything but the simplest chart often seems like a daunting task. This book starts with the basics and covers every aspect of charting, including macros. If I've done my job, working through this book will give you some new insights and perhaps a greater appreciation for Excel.

What You Should Know

This is not a book for beginning Excel users. If you have absolutely no experience with ...