← ACARA Digital Technologies Years 7–8

Changing a chart's type

A chart option (right-click the chart) that switches it to another type, like column to line, using the same data so you do not have to enter it again.

Part of: ACARA Digital Technologies Years 7–8 — Analysing and Visualising Data — Module 42

Understanding Changing a chart's type in ACARA Digital Technologies Years 7–8

What it does: Changing the type lets you see one dataset in two styles side by side without entering it again. Line charts show change over time, so switching to Line suits data that follows months. Change Chart Type switches the existing chart to a new type, so you do not need to re-enter the data. Only the look of the chart changes. The data in the cells is not touched. Showing the same data in two chart types lets you see which one tells the story better. The numbers stay the same.

Common mistakes: You do not retype the data. Change Chart Type reuses the same data, so line 4 should be: Pick Line to show change. Change Chart Title only edits the heading text. To switch from column to another type, choose Change Chart Type.

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Free printable worksheet with full answer key — or add this module to a class and your students practise it interactively.

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This module's key terms are also in a printable crossword (Modules 302–324) and word search (Modules 261–324).

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Learning
Duo
You made a column chart but want a line chart of the same data. What is the best way to do it?
Delete the data and type it in againRight-click the chart and choose Change Chart Type
Matches
Delete the chart and type all the data again to make it a line chart
↓
This wastes time because Change Chart Type switches the chart to a line chart using the same data.
Applying
Meanings
Term
Change Chart Type
Meaning
A chart option (right-click the chart) that switches it to another type, like column to line, using the same data so you do not have to enter it again.
Practice
Right-click the chart
Testing
Gaps
Then choose
Check Answer
Spots
3Choose Change Chart Type
4Retype the data for Line

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Quick Questions

1. You made a column chart but want a line chart of the same data. What is the best way to do it?
A. Right-click the chart and choose Change Chart Type ✓
B. Delete the data and type it in again
Change Chart Type switches the existing chart to a new type, so you do not need to re-enter the data.
2. After you use Change Chart Type, what happens to your data in the spreadsheet?
A. It is deleted and must be typed in again
B. It stays the same and the chart uses it ✓
Only the look of the chart changes. The data in the cells is not touched.
3. Where do you start to change a chart's type in a spreadsheet?
A. Right-click the chart ✓
B. Right-click an empty cell far from the chart
You right-click the chart itself to find the Change Chart Type option.
4. Why might you change a column chart to a line chart for the same data?
A. To compare how the two types show the data, such as a trend over time ✓
B. To change the numbers in the table
Showing the same data in two chart types lets you see which one tells the story better. The numbers stay the same.
5. You have monthly temperatures for a year. Which new chart type suits the data when you use Change Chart Type?
A. Pie chart, because it shows change over time
B. Line chart, because it shows change over time ✓
Line charts are best for trends over time. A pie chart shows parts of a whole.

Match the Pairs

Right-click chart > Change Chart Type → Opens the menu where you pick a different chart type for the chart you already made
Change Chart Type > Line → Turns a column chart into a line chart using the same data, with no retyping
To compare how two chart types show the same data, switch the chart type and keep the data → Right-click > Change Chart Type > Column, then Line
Some data suits one chart type better, such as monthly temperatures on a line chart → Change Chart Type > Line (for Jan to Dec temperatures)
Delete the chart and type all the data again to make it a line chart → This wastes time because Change Chart Type switches the chart to a line chart using the same data.
Change Chart Type > Pie (for 12 months of temperatures) → A pie chart does not suit data over time or with many values; a line or column chart would be a better choice.

Key Term

Change Chart Type
A chart option (right-click the chart) that switches it to another type, like column to line, using the same data so you do not have to enter it again.

Fill in the Blanks

1. Right-click the chart Then choose Change Chart Type
Hint: Type the menu option that switches the chart to a different type without re-entering data.
2. Right-click the chart > Change Chart Type
Hint: Type the mouse action used on the chart to open its options menu.
3. Over time: Change Chart Type > Line
Hint: Type the chart type that suits data changing over time.
4. Right-click chart > Change Chart Type Choose Pie only for parts of a whole
Hint: Type the chart type that only suits data showing parts of a whole.
5. Chart 1: Column of A1:B6 Change Chart Type > Line Chart 2: Line of A1:B6
Hint: Type the cell range, which stays the same when you change the chart type.

Spot the Error

Question 1
A Select the column chart
B Right-click the chart
C Choose Change Chart Type
D Retype the data for Line
Line D — You do not retype the data. Change Chart Type reuses the same data, so line 4 should be: Pick Line to show change.
Question 2
A Click the column chart
B Right-click inside the chart
C Choose Change Chart Title
Line C — Change Chart Title only edits the heading text. To switch from column to another type, choose Change Chart Type.
Question 3
A Click the pie chart
B Right-click cell A1
C Choose Change Chart Type
Line B — The Change Chart Type option appears when you right-click the chart itself, not a cell. Line 2 should be: Right-click the chart.
Question 4
A Data: temperature each day
B Goal: show change over time
C Change Chart Type to Pie
Line C — A pie chart shows parts of a whole, not change over time. A line chart suits temperature each day, so it should be: Change Chart Type to Line.
Question 5
A Data: pocket money by friend
B Goal: compare friends
C Right-click, Change Chart Type
D Pick Line to compare friends
Line D — A line joins points and suggests change over time, which does not suit separate friends. A column chart compares categories, so line 4 should be: Pick Column to compare.

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