If we often write documents in the office or at work, we will certainly have had to add a chart immediately below a paragraph, so that we can better explain the numerical values or statistical data that we are analyzing. Since the scenarios in which we may need a chart while writing documents are many in this guide we will show you, step by step, all the methods to create charts on Word .
Obviously the guide is designed for all novice users with a PC and with a document editor such as Word, but it can also be useful to all employees who work in the office and find it difficult to write a document with an all-in-one graphic designer. 'internal.
At the end of the guide we will also show you how to create charts with the main free alternative to Word, that is LibreOffice Writer, more than suitable for home use (since the Office suite is paid).
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1) How to create graphs on Word
To add a chart to Word we have two methods: create it directly inside the program or create it with Excel and import it later into the document.
We advise you to follow this last path in case we have to create very elaborate graphs or with a lot of data, while we can use Word directly if the graph is small and with a reduced amount of data.
To create a simple graph on Word just open any empty document or a document already written, take us to the paragraph where to add the graph and click Enter or Enter on the keyboard, so as to immediately create the empty space.
After creating the space that will host the graph, click on the Insert menu at the top and then click on the Graph button.
A new program window will now open, where you can choose the shape to be given to the graphic that we want to insert into the document.
We can choose between various types of chart such as histogram, pie chart, bar chart, area chart, line chart etc.
Once you have chosen the type of graph (also choosing from the various sub-types indicated on the right side, including 3D graphs), click OK on the bottom to insert it into Word.
Immediately the graph will appear in the paragraph we had created, accompanied by a reduced-scale Excel window (very useful for managing the data to be inserted in the graph displayed).
If we have chosen the chart well, we just need to change the names entered for the columns and rows and report the numeric values that we want to be present within it; if something is missing or we want to enlarge or shrink the graph, just act (in the mini Excel window) on the squares present next to each cell selection.
We customize the chart as we see fit, until the desired result is achieved.
To change the shape of the graph and the references inside it (for example the colors of the bars or lines, the presence or absence of the legend etc.) we will have to use the keys next to the graph, i.e. Layout options, Graph elements, Graphic styles and Graphic filters .
As soon as we are satisfied with the result, click on the graph, then move the cursor to its far right (also with the help of the right directional arrow) and click Enter or Enter to create a new paragraph and continue writing the document.
The Excel window can be closed at any time, since the data inside will be immediately inserted into the graph (no need to save or do other special procedures).
2) Create chart in Excel and import it into Word
If the data to be entered is really a lot, we can create the graph normally on Excel and then import it on Word, so as to create very professional and complete graphs without using the limited tools accessible within Word.
We then open Excel on our PC, insert all the necessary data in the various cells and finally click on Insert, so we can choose any of the graphs obtainable on the spreadsheet.
We carry out all the customizations of the case therefore, without closing Excel, we open Word with the document in which we have decided to insert it.
Now that everything is ready, let's select the chart inside Excel (just click on it), go to the Home menu at the top and click Copy .
We open the document on Word, we create the empty paragraph where to insert the chart, we right click with the mouse at the beginning of it and we use the button Keep original formatting and link data .
In this way the chart will be immediately imported into Word and will remain editable at a later time, without having to open Excel every time.
If we fear that the graph cannot be well managed by whoever receives it, we can also limit you to pasting only the image of the graph into the document; to do this we use, when using the Paste on Word command, the item Image .
This is nothing more than a photo of the graph and it is not editable (so if we have to make changes we will have to act from Excel and import the new graph).
3) How to create charts on LibreOffice Writer
As anticipated, the free version of Word is LibreOffice Writer, downloadable for free on Microsoft, Mac and Linux.
We install the suite on our computer, then search for the Writer program in the Start menu or any other program menu (Launchpad on Mac, Gnome Shell on Linux etc.).
Once you open Writer, we begin to write the necessary part of text and, once we reach the paragraph where we have to insert the graph, we click on the top of the Insert menu and then on the Graph item.
A predefined graph will appear immediately which we can customize by right-clicking and choosing one of the items present.
For example, to change the data entered, we can use the Data table item, while to change the shape and other elements of the chart, we can use the Chart type items and the various Insert / Delete items in the context menu.
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