Please Note: This article is written for users of the following Microsoft Word versions: 2007, 2010, 2013, 2016, 2019, and Word in Office 365. If you are using an earlier version (Word 2003 or earlier), this tip may not work for you. For a version of this tip written specifically for earlier versions of Word, click here: Converting Tables to Charts.
It is not unusual to present data in both tabular and graphic forms in a report. Word makes it easy to do this. Once you have developed your table, you can convert the information directly into a graph. You do this in the following manner:
As you were following these steps, you may have noticed that there is a Chart tool in the Illustrations group on the Insert tab of the ribbon. You may have then wondered why you wouldn't use this tool to create a chart.
The reason is simple: If you select the Chart tool, you end up with a generic chart created using Excel and inserted directly in your document. (You also end up with this type of chart if you choose Microsoft Excel Chart in step 4.) Word does not base the chart upon the selected table data (you selected it in step 1), but instead inserts the chart into the first cell of the selected table, thereby deleting anything that was in that cell.
For simple charting tasks it is better to avoid using the Chart tool and insert a Microsoft Graph Chart object, as outlined in these steps.
WordTips is your source for cost-effective Microsoft Word training. (Microsoft Word is the most popular word processing software in the world.) This tip (7791) applies to Microsoft Word 2007, 2010, 2013, 2016, 2019, and Word in Office 365. You can find a version of this tip for the older menu interface of Word here: Converting Tables to Charts.
Learning Made Easy! Quickly teach yourself how to format, publish, and share your content using Word 2013. With Step by Step, you set the pace, building and practicing the skills you need, just when you need them! Check out Microsoft Word 2013 Step by Step today!
Do you struggle with getting your graphics and surrounding text to appear just the way you want it? Here are some ...
Discover MoreWhen you open a document or start to use Word, do you see a background that looks like graph paper? It could be because ...
Discover MoreEver insert a picture and it won't display in your document? It could be due to some of the display settings in Word. ...
Discover MoreFREE SERVICE: Get tips like this every week in WordTips, a free productivity newsletter. Enter your address and click "Subscribe."
2016-11-07 10:39:23
hj
It doesnt work
2016-11-03 19:57:38
Sam Thomas
I was struggling with chart. Survey monkey gave charts but that was too much work of copy/paste/edit. With Excel, more troubles. Now this is great.
Thank you very much
2016-09-21 11:01:30
Mike
Don't insert a chart, insert an Object and you won't get a generic chart. The only problem is that even though the chart is started using the table data, it doesn't maintain a link to the table data. You have to edit the chart (by double clicking on it) to update the numbers in the "Datasheet" that appears below the chart when in edit mode.
2016-09-21 09:53:19
Eileen
I also don't see the information in the table translated into a chart. I get the generic chart and have to add the numbers. Any clue why?
2016-07-11 04:47:12
Almabrok
This is going to be my first attempt to make a chart bout of a table. Hope it work...thank you for the advice
2016-03-31 09:22:58
I get this. And use it. However, how do you link the chart to your table. If you change the table, it doesn't automatically change the chart. You have to edit the chart in order to get your numbers.
2015-12-30 11:22:06
Lynn Rosenbaum
I followed these instructions but am still getting a generic excel chart, not a graph with the data from my table.
2015-02-27 02:19:10
Sukruta
this tip saved my life!! thanks:)
Got a version of Word that uses the ribbon interface (Word 2007 or later)? This site is for you! If you use an earlier version of Word, visit our WordTips site focusing on the menu interface.
FREE SERVICE: Get tips like this every week in WordTips, a free productivity newsletter. Enter your address and click "Subscribe."
Copyright © 2020 Sharon Parq Associates, Inc.
Please Note:
This article is written for users of the following Microsoft Word versions: 2007, 2010, 2013, 2016, 2019, and Word in Office 365. If you are using an earlier version (Word 2003 or earlier), this tip may not work for you. For a version of this tip written specifically for earlier versions of Word, click here: 
Comments