We’ll also look at custom number formats to show dates as month names, and currency in thousands.
Here we have data for monthly sales of a small business for the year 2016.
Let’s build a column chart to plot this data.
Now let’s make this a better chart.
First, I’ll add a descriptive title.
Now I’ll fatten up the columns a bit.
Column width is adjusted by changing gap width under Series options.
About 60% usually works pretty well.
Next let’s tackle the bottom axis.
In the Format Code box, punch in the code “mmm” and click Add.
The chart now shows abbreviated month names, and “Linked to source” is automatically unchecked.
Let’s use the same trick to show numbers in the vertical axis as thousands.
Double-nudge the axis, and navigate to the number format area.
Then use the format code:
0,“K”
Then click Add.
The chart is looking a lot better, but we can further simplify things by adding data labels.
First I’ll remove the vertical axis, the gridlines, and tick marks.
Then, I’ll add data labels, and use the same custom number format to abbreviate.
Click twice - once to grab the series, and once again to select a single bar.
The mini toolbar is a quick way to change fill color.
