Excel 365 Charts

"Excel 365 Charts" by M.L. Humphrey is a comprehensive guide tailored for users looking to master the art of chart creation and data visualisation using Excel 365. Humphrey's book is designed to cater to both beginners and advanced users, providing a detailed exploration of Excel's charting capabilities and how to leverage them to create compelling and informative visual representations of data.

The book begins with an introduction to the importance of data visualisation, emphasising how charts can transform raw data into insights that are easy to understand and communicate. Humphrey highlights that effective charts can reveal trends, patterns, and outliers that might be missed in standard data tables. This foundational understanding sets the stage for the practical, hands-on instructions that follow.

Humphrey delves into the basics of creating charts in Excel 365, starting with how to select appropriate data and choose the right chart type. The author explains the different chart types available in Excel 365, such as bar charts, line charts, pie charts, and scatter plots, and provides guidance on selecting the best chart type based on the data and the message to be conveyed. For example, bar charts are useful for comparing categories, while line charts are ideal for showing trends over time.

As readers progress through the book, they learn how to customise their charts to enhance their clarity and visual appeal. Humphrey covers a wide range of customisation options, including adjusting chart titles, axis labels, and legends. Readers also learn how to apply different formatting styles, such as changing colours, fonts, and adding data labels, to make their charts more readable and visually engaging. The book offers practical tips on how to avoid common pitfalls, such as cluttered charts and misleading representations, ensuring that users create charts that are both accurate and effective.

In addition to basic charting techniques, "Excel 365 Charts" explores more advanced features and functionalities. Humphrey explains how to create combination charts, which allow multiple data series to be displayed using different chart types within a single chart. This is particularly useful for comparing different types of data on the same chart. The book also covers dynamic charts that automatically update when the underlying data changes, providing readers with the tools to create interactive and responsive visualisations.

Humphrey doesn't stop at static charts; the book also addresses the creation of interactive charts using features like slicers and pivot charts. These tools enable users to filter data directly within the chart, making it possible to explore different views and insights dynamically. This capability is particularly valuable for creating interactive dashboards and reports that can be used for presentations and decision-making.

Throughout the book, Humphrey includes real-world examples and case studies that demonstrate the practical application of the charting techniques discussed. These examples help readers understand how to apply what they have learned to their own data and analysis projects, making the book not only a learning resource but also a practical reference guide.

In conclusion, "Excel 365 Charts" by M.L. Humphrey is a detailed and user-friendly guide that equips readers with the knowledge and skills needed to create effective and visually appealing charts using Excel 365. Whether you are a beginner looking to get started with charting or an advanced user seeking to refine your skills, this book provides valuable insights and practical techniques to enhance your data visualisation capabilities.