MOS Excel: Charting Data 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which chart type displays three variables simultaneously using X position, Y position, and the size of each data point?
- Bubble chart (Correct answer)
- Scatter chart
- 3-D Bar chart
- Radar chart
Correct answer: Bubble chart
A Bubble chart extends the Scatter chart by using a third numeric variable to determine the size (bubble diameter) of each plotted point.
Question 2: When you move a chart from the current worksheet to a separate chart sheet, the chart's data source:
- Remains linked to the original worksheet (Correct answer)
- Is copied to the chart sheet as static values
- Is automatically duplicated in a hidden sheet
- Must be re-selected manually
Correct answer: Remains linked to the original worksheet
Moving a chart to a chart sheet only relocates the chart object; the data still resides in and links to the original worksheet.
Question 3: Which option in the Format Data Labels pane allows you to show the category name next to each data point?
- Category Name checkbox under Label Contains (Correct answer)
- Value checkbox under Label Contains
- Series Name checkbox under Label Contains
- Percentage checkbox under Label Contains
Correct answer: Category Name checkbox under Label Contains
Checking 'Category Name' in the Label Contains section displays the category (axis label) alongside each data marker.
Question 4: A Radar chart is best suited for which type of analysis?
- Comparing multiple attributes of several items simultaneously (Correct answer)
- Showing trends over continuous time intervals
- Displaying part-to-whole relationships
- Plotting the correlation between two numeric variables
Correct answer: Comparing multiple attributes of several items simultaneously
Radar (or spider) charts display multiple quantitative variables on axes radiating from a central point, ideal for comparing profiles across categories.
Question 5: What does the 'Explosion' setting in the Format Data Point pane do for a Pie chart?
- Pulls a single slice away from the rest of the pie (Correct answer)
- Increases the overall size of the entire pie
- Adds a 3-D depth effect to all slices
- Rotates the pie chart to a new starting angle
Correct answer: Pulls a single slice away from the rest of the pie
Explosion separates an individual slice from the body of the pie chart to emphasize that specific data point.
Question 6: Which Excel feature lets you save a customized chart format so you can apply it to future charts quickly?
- Chart Templates (Correct answer)
- Cell Styles
- Conditional Formatting
- Named Ranges
Correct answer: Chart Templates
Saving a chart as a Chart Template (.crtx file) stores its formatting, colors, and layout for reuse via the Change Chart Type dialog.
Question 7: To change the color of a single bar in a Bar chart without affecting the other bars, you should:
- Double-click the bar to select only that data point, then change its fill color (Correct answer)
- Click the chart once, then change the fill color in the Home tab
- Right-click the chart area and choose Format Chart Area
- Select the legend entry for that series and change its color
Correct answer: Double-click the bar to select only that data point, then change its fill color
Double-clicking a bar deselects the whole series and selects only that individual data point, allowing independent color formatting.
MOS Excel: Charting Data 3
Which chart type displays three variables simultaneously using X position, Y position, and the size of each data point?