Data range and labels
The data range includes the numbers that we wish to chart. The checked boxes indicate that Calc has recognized that the entries in the first column and the first row are not numbers and it is suggesting that we may want to use them to supply labels (names). We will accept the suggestion.
The labels in the First column will be used to label the x-axis and the labels in the first row will be used in the Legend. If we did not want to use these labels we could uncheck the boxes and Calc would just ignore the column and the row in creating the chart.
To select the type of chart or graph required, click Next.
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Note
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If the AutoFormat Chart dialog was opened from the Insert menu, the Chart results in worksheet option is available. From this list box you can select the sheet on which the new chart will reside. Opening the dialog from the toolbars requires you to select a location for the new chart before it is opened, so this list box is not available. Since the data range is specified in Absolute references no matter where the new chart is placed in the current spreadsheet, it will update as the data change in the source ranges.
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Calc offers a choice of 13 different main chart types, a mixture of 2-dimensional and faux 3-dimensional types. Only 8 of the 13 types are shown; scroll down to see the other selections.
On the Choose a chart type (Figure 43) page, select one by clicking on its icon. To view a preview of the chart that displays the title, labels and legend, select the Show text elements in preview checkbox at the left of the dialog. This preview will update every time you select a different type of chart, and provides you with a good idea of what your finished chart will look like.
The current selection, shown with a border around it, is the Columns chart. The selected chart’s name is shown just below the icons. For the moment, we will stick with the Columns chart and click on Next again.
This takes us to the Choose a Variant page (not shown here) where we have a choice of five different types of column chart. Again we need to scroll down to see all the choices. We will stay with the suggested format, Normal, and click on Next again.
