Google Sheets Charts Tutorial // How to create charts and graphs in Google Sheets

Summary

In this tutorial by Loves Data, Benjamin teaches viewers how to create various charts and graphs in Google Sheets, including line, column, and pie charts. He demonstrates how to customize these visuals, add them to presentations and documents, and utilize the 'Explore' feature for data visualization suggestions. The video aims to help users effectively convey their data through clear and concise charts.

Takeaways

• 📊 **Creating Charts in Google Sheets**: Learn how to create various types of charts such as line, column, and pie charts in Google Sheets.
• 🔍 **Using 'Explore' Feature**: Discover the 'Explore' feature in Google Sheets for quick data visualization suggestions.
• 🎨 **Customizing Charts**: Customize your charts by changing titles, colors, line thickness, and adding data labels or trendlines.
• 🗂️ **Organizing with Dashboards**: Use the 'Move to own sheet' option to create a dedicated dashboard for all your charts in one place.
• 📈 **Visualizing Data Trends**: Utilize line charts to visualize trends over time, such as revenue by date.
• 📋 **Adjusting Axis Settings**: Modify horizontal and vertical axis titles, text colors, and set maximum values for better chart readability.
• 🖊️ **Editing Chart Elements**: Easily edit chart elements by double-clicking directly on the chart for quick access to customization options.
• 📊 **Pie and Donut Charts**: Create pie charts to show proportions, and explore variations like donut charts for a different visual style.
• 📝 **Adding Charts to Documents**: Embed charts into Google Docs by copying and pasting, with options to link or unlink the chart from the source spreadsheet.
• 🔗 **Updating Charts**: Ensure charts in documents and presentations stay up-to-date by linking them to the original spreadsheet.
• 💡 **Experiment with Chart Types**: Experiment with different chart types to find the best way to convey your data's story effectively.

Q & A

What is the main topic of the video by Benjamin from Loves Data?

The main topic of the video is how to create charts and graphs in Google Sheets.

Which types of charts does Benjamin cover in the video?

Benjamin covers line charts, column charts, and pie charts in the video.

How does the 'Explore' feature in Google Sheets help users?

The 'Explore' feature in Google Sheets provides suggestions for visualizing data when users are unsure how to represent it.

What is the first step to create a line chart in Google Sheets as shown in the video?

The first step to create a line chart is to select the cells for the chart, in this case, 'G2' to 'H7'.

How can viewers access Benjamin's 'Google Sheets Tutorial for Beginners'?

Viewers can access the 'Google Sheets Tutorial for Beginners' by finding the link in the description below the video.

What customization options are available for the line chart in Google Sheets?

Customization options for the line chart include changing the chart type, axis titles, series color and thickness, adding data labels, and including a trendline.

How can you move a chart to its own sheet in Google Sheets?

You can move a chart to its own sheet by selecting the chart and then choosing 'Move to own sheet' from the options that appear when clicking the three vertical dots on the top right corner of the chart.

What does Benjamin suggest doing with charts once they are created?

Benjamin suggests copying the charts and adding them to a 'Dashboard' sheet for organization.

How can you add a chart to a Google Slides presentation?

You can add a chart to a Google Slides presentation by copying the chart from Google Sheets and pasting it into the presentation.

What is the benefit of linking a chart to a spreadsheet when pasting it into a document?

Linking a chart to a spreadsheet ensures that the chart in the document updates automatically when changes are made to the spreadsheet.

What advice does Benjamin give for choosing the right chart in Google Sheets?

Benjamin advises choosing a chart that is concise and easy to understand and using the 'Suggested' charts or 'Explore' feature if unsure.

Outlines

00:00

📊 Introduction to Creating Charts and Graphs in Google Sheets

In this introduction, Benjamin from Loves Data explains the main goals of the video: creating charts and graphs in Google Sheets, including line charts, column charts, pie charts, and using the ‘Explore’ feature. He also highlights how to integrate charts into Google Drive presentations and documents. He references an example spreadsheet and encourages viewers to check out his beginner tutorial if needed.

05:01

📈 Creating a Line Chart in Google Sheets

Benjamin demonstrates how to create a line chart that shows revenue by date using the example spreadsheet. He selects specific cells, inserts a chart, and customizes it by selecting ‘Smooth Line Chart’ and changing its title to 'Revenue by Date.' He shows how to edit axis titles, series colors, line thickness, and add data labels and a trendline. He also explains how to adjust maximum values for better clarity and move the chart to its own sheet.

10:05

📊 Customizing and Using a Column Chart in Google Sheets

The focus shifts to creating a column chart based on membership status. Benjamin selects cells, inserts a chart, and uses the ‘Customize’ tab to adjust settings. He explains how to change the colors of individual bars by selecting data points and customizing each one. He copies the chart to a dashboard sheet and removes it from the current sheet while ensuring the data remains accessible.

🥧 Creating and Customizing a Pie Chart in Google Sheets

Benjamin demonstrates how to create a pie chart based on the ‘Valid Email’ column, selecting specific cells and converting a column chart into a pie chart. He customizes the pie chart by changing it into a donut chart and adjusting pie slice colors. He then copies the chart to the dashboard sheet and removes it from the ‘Members’ sheet.

🔍 Using Google Sheets' 'Explore' Feature

In this section, Benjamin introduces the 'Explore' feature in Google Sheets, explaining its usefulness for getting chart suggestions. He selects the entire sheet and demonstrates how to explore different visualizations, showing how to quickly add charts based on Google Sheets' recommendations.

📄 Adding Charts to Presentations and Documents

Benjamin shows how to copy a chart from the dashboard sheet and paste it into a Google document or presentation. He highlights the option to link the chart so that any changes in the spreadsheet will reflect in the document. He concludes by encouraging viewers to explore different chart types and use the 'Explore' feature for additional guidance.

👍 Conclusion and Encouragement to Explore Charts

The video wraps up with a reminder to explore different chart options and use visualizations that best communicate the data. Benjamin invites viewers to share which charts they plan to use, encourages feedback in the comments, and asks viewers to like, share, and subscribe to support the channel.

Keywords

💡Google Sheets

Google Sheets is a web-based spreadsheet program that is part of Google's office suite. It allows users to create and edit spreadsheets online, collaborate with others in real-time, and visualize data through various chart types. In the video, Google Sheets is used to demonstrate how to create and customize charts and graphs, making it a central tool for data visualization.

💡Charts and Graphs

Charts and graphs are visual representations of data, used to analyze and present information in a clear and understandable way. In the context of the video, the presenter teaches viewers how to create different types of charts and graphs in Google Sheets, such as line charts, column charts, and pie charts, to visualize data effectively.

💡Line Chart

A line chart is a type of graph that displays information as a series of data points called 'markers' connected by straight line segments. It is used to visualize trends over time. In the video, the presenter creates a line chart to show the amount of revenue by date, illustrating how to select data, choose chart types, and customize the appearance.

💡Pie Chart

A pie chart is a circular chart divided into sectors, where each sector represents a proportion of the whole. It is used to show the relative proportions of parts to a whole. In the video, the presenter demonstrates how to create a pie chart to represent the validity of email addresses, showcasing customization options such as changing it into a donut chart.

💡Customize

Customizing in the context of the video refers to the process of modifying the appearance and functionality of charts and graphs in Google Sheets. This includes changing colors, adjusting line thickness, adding data labels, and more. The presenter guides viewers through customizing various elements of their charts to better fit their data visualization needs.

💡Explore Feature

The 'Explore' feature in Google Sheets is a tool that suggests different ways to visualize data based on the selected cells. It provides users with a range of chart options tailored to their data. The video highlights this feature as a helpful resource for users who are unsure about how to best represent their data visually.

💡Data Visualization

Data visualization is the presentation of data in a graphical or visual format, such as charts or graphs, to make it easier to understand and analyze. The video's main theme revolves around data visualization in Google Sheets, teaching viewers how to effectively use various chart types to convey data insights.

💡Dashboard

A dashboard in the context of the video refers to a collection of charts and graphs that provide an at-a-glance view of key performance indicators or other relevant data. The presenter shows how to create a 'Dashboard' sheet in Google Sheets to organize and display various charts for a comprehensive data overview.

💡Data Labels

Data labels in charts are textual representations of the data points displayed on the graph. They provide specific information about each point, such as values or categories. The video demonstrates how to include data labels in a chart to make the data points more informative and easier to understand.

💡Trendline

A trendline in a chart is a line that shows the trend in data, indicating whether it is increasing, decreasing, or remaining steady over time. In the video, the presenter adds a trendline to a line chart to illustrate the overall change in revenue, helping viewers to identify patterns in their data.

💡Google Drive

Google Drive is a file storage and synchronization service developed by Google, which allows users to store and share files, including documents, spreadsheets, and presentations. The video concludes with instructions on how to add charts from Google Sheets to documents and presentations in Google Drive, demonstrating the integration between these Google services.

Highlights

Introduction to creating charts and graphs in Google Sheets

Overview of different visualization methods in Google Sheets

Tutorial on creating a line chart to show revenue by date

Automatic chart generation and customization options in Google Sheets

Changing chart types and selecting a Smooth Line Chart

Customizing chart titles and axis labels

Adjusting the appearance of the chart series

Adding data labels and trendlines to charts

Customizing the horizontal and vertical axis text colors

Setting a maximum value for the vertical axis

Options for managing charts on Google Sheets

Creating a dashboard sheet for organizing charts

Creating a column chart for membership status

Customizing colors for individual data points in a chart

Creating a pie chart to visualize email validation results

Transforming a pie chart into a donut chart

Using the 'Explore' feature for data visualization suggestions

Adding charts to Google Drive presentations and documents

Instructions on pasting linked or unlinked charts in documents

Encouragement to explore different chart options in Google Sheets

Invitation for feedback and engagement from the audience

Transcripts

Hey there, I’m Benjamin from Loves Data. In this  video, you will learn how to create charts and  

graphs in Google Sheets. We will look at some  of the different ways you can visualize data  

in Google Sheets... We will cover line  charts, column charts, and pie charts.  

We will also look at how you can quickly and  easily add charts and graphs to Google Sheets  

using the ‘Explore’ feature. And once you’re happy  with your chart or graph I’ll show you how you can  

add it to your presentations and documents  in Google Drive. Okay, let’s get started!  

Today I’m using the example spreadsheet I used  in my ‘Google Sheets Tutorial for Beginners’.  

If you’re just getting started, then take a moment  to check it out. You can find a link to watch the  

tutorial in the description below this video. My  example spreadsheet is quite simple. We can see  

it includes names and email addresses. There is a  column that shows each person’s membership level,  

along with the revenue received from each person  and the date they joined. Let’s start by creating  

a line chart that shows the amount of revenue  by date. To do this, let’s select the cells for  

the chart... I’m going to select ‘G2’ to ‘H7’...  Now let’s select ‘Insert’... And then ‘Chart’...  

We can see that Google Sheets has automatically  added a column chart to our spreadsheet.  

Let’s select the ‘Chart Type’... This lets us  view the different types of charts we can use.  

Let’s select ‘Smooth Line Chart’... We can see  that the date people joined is automatically  

selected as the ‘X-axis’ and that ‘Revenue’  is the ‘Series’ (or the line) presented in  

the chart. We can change all of these options.  For example, we can change the ranges (or cells)  

used to create the graph. Since I’m happy with  the graph so far, let’s select ‘Customize’...  

And let’s select ‘Chart and Axis Titles’... We can  now change the title of our graph... Let’s change  

it to ‘Revenue by Date’... We can see the chart  updates... And although we’ve used this option to  

change the title, we can also simply double-click  the title in the graph to make changes...  

Let’s make the title bold... And let’s  change the color of the title... Next,  

we can see there are titles for the horizontal  and vertical axis. For this chart, I would like  

to remove these, so I’m going to select ‘Chart  Title’... And select ‘Horizontal Axis Title’...  

Now I can delete the ‘Title Text’... I can now  do the same for the ‘Vertical Axis Title’...  

And if you prefer, you can simply double  click on the chart and remove these,  

in the same way as editing the title. Now let’s  select ‘Series’... We can now change the way  

the series (or the line) is presented in the  chart. Let’s change the color of the series...  

And let’s increase the thickness of the line...  We can also add points to the series to see where  

values are being used from our spreadsheet...  And let’s increase the size of the points...  

Let’s select ‘Data Labels’... This wil include  the values for each point on the chart. You will  

notice that the third point is missing the data  label. We will adjust the chart in a moment,  

so we can see this label. We can also add a  trendline to our chart... This lets us see the  

overall change... We can now see that revenue is  decreasing overtime for our example spreadsheet.  

Now let’s select ‘Horizontal Axis’...  And let’s change the ‘Text Color’...  

And let’s select the ‘Vertical  Axis’... And change the ‘Text Color’...  

Now let’s enter ‘500’ as the ‘Maximum Value’...  

This sets the maximum value for the vertical  axis and means that we can now see the label  

for the third point in our chart... Once you’re  happy with your chart you can choose to leave  

it on the current sheet, copy it, or even move  it to its own sheet. Let’s select our sheet to  

close the ‘Chart Editor’... And let’s select our  chart again... You will notice three vertical  

dots on the top right corner of the chart...  Let’s select these... And then let’s select  

‘Move to own sheet’... We can now see that  a new sheet is added to our spreadsheet...  

And we can see the same options as we did  before, but now they’re at the top of the  

chart... We can copy the chart, edit the  chart, publish the chart (you can use this  

to embed the chart on your website). You can  also download the chart and delete the chart.  

Let’s select ‘Copy Chart’... And let’s create a  new sheet... Let’s name the sheet ‘Dashboard’..  

Now let’s paste the chart... We can use this  sheet to build a dashboard that contains  

all of our charts. Okay, now let’s head back  to our ‘Members’ sheet... And let’s create  

another chart. Let’s select the ‘Status’  column. I’m going to select ‘F2’ to ‘F7’...  

And now let’s select ‘Insert’... And ‘Chart’...  We can see that Google Sheets automatically  

adds a column chart to our sheet. I’m going to  leave the default options for the ‘Setup’ tab,  

and I’m going to choose ‘Customize’... You will  find similar options to what we covered when  

we create our line chart. We can see there are  options to customize the ‘Chart Style’, the ‘Chart  

and Axis Titles’, the ‘Series’ and so on... Let’s  select ‘Series’... We can see that this chart  

is based on a single column from our sheet, so  there is only one option for adjusting the color.  

However, I would like to customize this so that  each bar is shown in the color for the membership  

level. There are two options to do this. We can  select ‘Add’ next to ‘Format Data Point’... And  

then choose the data point from the graph... Or we  can close this... And simply double click the data  

point we want to change. Let’s double-click  ‘Silver’... And let’s change the color...  

We can repeat this for the ‘Gold’  and ‘Bronze’ data points...  

Now let’s copy this chart... And  let’s add it to our dashboard sheet...  

Now let’s head back to our ‘Members’ sheet...  

I can now remove this chart from the sheet and  it will continue to be available on our dashboard  

sheet... Now let’s create a pie chart. I’m going  to select the ‘Valid Email’ column which is used  

to verify the format of the email addresses of  members. So I’m going to select ‘E2’ to ‘E7’...  

And now let’s select ‘Insert’... And  ‘Chart’... We can see Google Sheets has  

automatically added another column chart. Let’s  choose ‘Column Chart’... And change this to  

‘Pie Chart’... We can see that the chart is  automatically aggregating the number of ‘True’  

and ‘False’ results from our column. Let’s select  ‘Customize’... And let’s choose ‘Pie Chart’...  

We can now adjust the style of our chart. Let’s  make the chart a donut chart... Now let’s select  

‘Pie Slice’... And let’s change  the colors used for our chart...  

There are additional customization  options you can explore...  

I’m happy with this chart so I’m going  to copy it to the dashboard sheet...  

And now let’s head back to  the ‘Members’ sheet again...  

Again, I’m going to remove this chart from the  sheet, since I’ve added it to the dashboard.  

Now I want to show you the ‘Explore’ feature.  This is a really handy feature in Google Sheets,  

especially when you’re feeling stuck  and not sure how to visualize your data.  

If you want suggestions for visualizing  particular cells in your sheet,  

then you can select them. I’m going to select  all of the cells in the sheet... You can find  

the ‘Explore’ feature in the bottom right  corner... So let’s click ‘Explore’...  

You will now find a range of suggestions for  your data... You just need to hover over a  

suggestion and choose the ‘Add’ option if you  would like to use it... Finally, I want to show  

you how to add the charts we’ve created to your  presentations and documents in Google Drive.  

Let’s head back to our dashboard sheet...  And let’s copy the ‘Revenue’ chart...  

Let’s head to a document... All we have to  do is paste the chart into our document...  

We can now see we can choose if we want the chart  to be linked to our spreadsheet. Choosing this  

option means that the chart will update in our  document when we make changes to the spreadsheet.  

Or you can use the ‘Paste Unlinked’ option so that  the chart doesn’t update. I’m going to leave the  

default option selected and click ‘Paste’... Our  chart is now included in our document and if the  

spreadsheet is changed we will see the option to  update the chart in our document. And you can also  

copy and paste your charts into presentations  you’ve created in Google Slides. That’s it!  

So that’s how you can create charts and graphs in  Google Sheets. Remember there are different charts  

and graphs available, so take time to explore  the different options and use the one that helps  

convey your message. Aim for a visualization that  is concise and easy to understand. And if you get  

stuck, then look for the ‘Suggested’ charts or use  the ‘Explore’ feature in the bottom right corner  

of Google Sheets. What charts are you going to  use in Google Sheets? I’d love to know! Let me  

know in the comments below. And if you found this  video helpful please subscribe, share it with your  

friends, and hit the like button so I know to  make more videos like this. See you next time!