Intermediate
60 mins
Teacher/Student led
+80 XP
Pupils work on their own device

Your First Bar Chart

Turn a list of project costs into a bar chart using Excel for the web or Sheets. Select the right data range, insert the chart, add a title, move it cleanly, and save it as 06_ka2_charts in your charts folder for the key assignment.

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    1 - Introduction ~5 mins

    Today you will

    • turn a list of costs into a bar chart
    • move the chart so your numbers show
    • save your own chart as {{code:06_ka2_charts}} for Key Assignment 2

    Illustration for IntroductionFirst, open {{code:05_ka1_best_spreadsheet}} and check that you have a {{code:06_charts}} folder.

    Warm-up

    Aoife makes phone cases as a side hustle. Here are her setup costs. Which one costs the most? Which one would you cut first?

    ItemCost (€)
    Stickers45
    Packaging28
    Promo cards15
    Postage60
    Table hire40

    2 - Key Concepts ~6 mins

    The data range is the block of cells the chart reads, both the labels and the numbers.

    A column chart uses tall bars to compare numbers side by side. A bar chart is the same, but the bars lie flat.

    A chart title tells the reader what the chart is about.

    The chart type is the style of chart, like column, bar or pie.

    Example

    Aoife, who makes phone cases, has five setup costs. Which bar will be tallest in her chart, and which will be shortest?

    3 - Step-by-step Task ~15 mins

    Now you will build a practice chart from Aoife's five costs. Follow the steps in the box below for your app. This file is only for practice.

    ItemCost
    Stickers45
    Packaging28
    Promo cards15
    Postage60
    Table hire40

    4 - Common Issues ~4 mins

    Common issues

    • Is your chart missing the item names? Select both columns with the headings, and insert the chart again.
    • Is the chart covering your numbers? Drag it by its edge until every cell shows.
    • Is the wrong bar the tallest? Check the Cost cells for typos or a € sign, and type plain numbers.

    5 - Portfolio Build ~20 mins

    Portfolio Build

    Your goal: Make a bar chart of your own project costs for Key Assignment 2.
    Time: ~20 minutes
    Task:
    1. Open {{code:06_charts}} and make a new spreadsheet called {{code:06_ka2_charts}}.
    2. Copy the Item heading and your items from {{code:05_ka1_best_spreadsheet}} to {{cell:A1}}.
    3. Copy the Cost heading and those costs to {{cell:B1}}.
    4. Select your data with the headings and insert a column chart.
    5. Give the chart a title with your project name, then drag it below your data.
    6. In {{cell:D1}}, type the sentence from the box and fill in the gaps.
    Biggest cost: ___. I should ___.

    No budget file? Type five costs from your project.

    Success criteria:
    • {{code:06_ka2_charts}} is saved in {{code:06_charts}}.
    • My chart shows my own project costs and has a clear title.
    • The chart does not cover my numbers.
    • My sentence names my biggest cost and what to do.
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