Excel: Charting Data Flashcards

Which chart type is most appropriate for showing how individual parts contribute to a total across multiple categories?

Answer: 100% Stacked Bar chart

A 100% Stacked Bar chart normalizes each bar to 100%, making it easy to compare proportional contributions across categories.

What happens when you click 'Switch Row/Column' in the Chart Design tab?

Answer: Excel transposes the chart's data series and category axes

'Switch Row/Column' reassigns which dimension of your data table becomes the series versus the axis categories.

A secondary axis is useful when a chart contains data series that:

Answer: Have very different value scales

A secondary vertical axis lets you plot series with vastly different magnitudes (e.g., revenue in thousands and percentage rates) without one series appearing flat.

In Excel, which keyboard shortcut inserts a chart on a new chart sheet using the default chart type?

Answer: F11

Pressing F11 creates an embedded chart on a dedicated chart sheet using Excel's default chart type.

Which of the following correctly describes the 'Plot Area' of a chart?

Answer: The rectangular region bounded by the axes where data is plotted

The plot area is the inner region bounded by the chart axes where the actual data markers, bars, or lines appear.

To add a trendline to a chart, you must first:

Answer: Select the data series in the chart

A trendline is added to a specific data series, so you must select that series before accessing the Add Trendline option.

Which chart element do you format to change the interval between tick marks on the value axis?

Answer: Format Axis pane — Axis Options

The Format Axis pane's Axis Options section lets you set the major and minor unit intervals that control tick mark spacing.