How to Quickly Create Graphs in Excel with Keyboard Shortcuts

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Are you looking for a fast and easy way to createΒ graphs in Microsoft Excel? Using keyboard shortcuts is the quickest method to insert a chart based on your data. In this article, we’ll show you the step-by-step process to make a graph in Excel using just your keyboard.

I have also included a handy cheat sheet of keyboard shortcuts to create Graphs in Excel easily and quickly at the end of this article!

Why Use Keyboard Shortcuts for Making Graphs in Excel?

Keyboard shortcuts allow you to perform tasks much faster than using your mouse to navigate through menus and ribbon options in Excel. Benefits ofΒ using keyboard shortcuts for graphsΒ include:

  • Speed up your workflow and save time
  • Reduce repetitive stress from using a mouse
  • Work more efficiently with large datasets and complex spreadsheets
  • Impress your colleagues with your Excel proficiency!

For those frequently needing to create charts to visualize data, learning the keyboard shortcut for graphs is a must-have skill.Β Mastering Excel charting shortcutsΒ will dramatically improve your productivity.

Step-by-Step Guide: Shortcut for Graph in Excel

Follow these simple steps toΒ quickly insert a graphΒ in Excel using only your keyboard:

  1. Select the data you want to include in your chart. Make sure to highlight the cells containing both the data values and the row/column labels. You can useΒ Shift + Arrow keysΒ to easily expand your data selection.
  2. PressΒ Alt + F1Β on your keyboard. This is the shortcut for creating a chart in Excel.
  3. Excel will automatically insert aΒ column chartΒ based on the selected data, placed as an object within the current worksheet.
  4. If you want to change theΒ chart type, pressΒ Ctrl + 1Β to open the β€œFormat Chart Area” pane on the right. This pane contains all the options for customizing your chart’s appearance.
  5. PressΒ TabΒ until the β€œChart Options” menu is selected, then use theΒ Up/Down arrowsΒ to browse through the chart types. You’ll see options like line, pie, bar, area, scatter, and more. PressΒ EnterΒ to apply your selected chart type and the graph will update.
  6. To add or removeΒ chart elementsΒ like a title, legend, data labels, axis labels, gridlines etc., pressΒ Ctrl + 1Β to open the β€œFormat Chart Area” pane again if needed.
  7. PressΒ TabΒ multiple times to move through the options in the β€œFormat Chart Area” pane until you reach the β€œChart Options” section.
  8. Use theΒ Up/Down arrowsΒ to select which chart elements to add. PressΒ SpacebarΒ to check/uncheck the box for each element. The chart will automatically update in real-time as you make changes.
  9. To edit theΒ style and colorΒ of the chart, navigate to the β€œChart Styles” section in the Format Chart Area pane usingΒ TabΒ and theΒ arrows. UseΒ SpacebarΒ to cycle through the preset color palettes and chart styles.
  10. When you’re done editing the chart, pressΒ Ctrl + EnterΒ to apply your changes and return to the regular Excel worksheet view.

That’s it! With the Alt + F1 shortcut and a few additional keystrokes, you can create and customize a chart without ever touching your mouse.Β Practice this shortcutΒ frequently and it will quickly become muscle memory.

Examples of Excel Chart Shortcuts in Action

Here are some examples demonstrating how to make specificΒ types of graphs in Excel using keyboard shortcuts:

Shortcut for Line Graph in Excel

  • Select your data range
  • PressΒ Alt + F1Β to insert a column chart
  • PressΒ Ctrl + 1Β to open Format Chart Area pane
  • PressΒ TabΒ until β€œChart Type” is selected
  • UseΒ arrow keysΒ to choose β€œLine”
  • PressΒ EnterΒ to apply line graph
  • Customize line colors, markers, labels etc. usingΒ Tab,Β arrows, andΒ Spacebar

Shortcut for Pie Graph in Excel

  • Highlight cells with data for pie chart
  • HitΒ Alt + F1Β to create chart
  • PressΒ Ctrl + 1Β for Format Chart Area
  • PressΒ TabΒ to reach β€œChart Type”
  • UseΒ arrowsΒ to select β€œPie”
  • PressΒ EnterΒ to insert pie graph
  • Add data labels, adjust colors withΒ Ctrl + 1,Β Tab, andΒ arrow keys

Shortcut for Bar Graph in Excel

  • Choose data range for bar chart
  • PressΒ Alt + F1
  • PressΒ Ctrl + 1
  • Navigate withΒ TabΒ to β€œChart Type”
  • UseΒ arrowsΒ to find β€œBar”
  • HitΒ EnterΒ for bar graph
  • UseΒ SpacebarΒ to toggle between horizontal and vertical bars

Keyboard Shortcuts for Editing Chart Data

In addition to formatting, you can also useΒ keyboard shortcuts to edit the underlying dataΒ of your Excel graph:

  • To edit a data point, select the chart and pressΒ Ctrl + Shift + Right/Left arrowΒ to select a specific data series
  • Then pressΒ Ctrl + Shift + Up/Down arrowΒ to highlight an individual data point
  • PressΒ F2Β to enter edit mode, make your changes, then pressΒ Enter
  • To add a new data series, select the chart and pressΒ Ctrl + Shift + Right arrowΒ until a blank data series is selected, then enter your values
  • To remove a data series, select it withΒ Ctrl + Shift + Right/Left arrowΒ and pressΒ Delete

Remember, any changes made to the chart data will also update the linked cells in your worksheet.

Handy Excel Graph Shortcut Cheat Sheet

Here’s a quick reference guide with the essentialΒ keyboard shortcuts for graphs in Excel:

ShortcutAction
Alt + F1Insert chart based on selected data
Ctrl + 1Open Format Chart Area pane
TabMove between options in Format Chart Area
ArrowsNavigate menus and chart type gallery
SpacebarCheck/uncheck chart elements or cycle through styles
EnterSelect menu option or chart type
Ctrl + EnterExit chart editing and return to sheet
Ctrl + Shift + ArrowSelect data series or point for editing
F2Edit selected data point
DeleteRemove selected data series or chart element

Print this cheatsheet or bookmark this page to keep these shortcuts handy!

Tips for Working with Excel Graph Shortcuts

A few tips to streamline your workflow whenΒ creating charts in Excel via keyboard:

  • Pre-select your dataΒ before starting the chart shortcut to save a step. Include data values and labels.
  • Excel defaults to aΒ column chart, so you’ll almost always need to change the chart type with Ctrl + 1 after inserting.
  • Use directional arrows deliberatelyΒ in the Format Chart Area pane to get to your desired options quickly.
  • Have a clear visionΒ of how you want your final chart to look to avoid wasting time with trial-and-error formatting.
  • Double-check your data selectionΒ if the chart looks incorrect after inserting – it’s easy to accidentally grab the wrong cells.
  • Save complex or frequently used charts asΒ templatesΒ to quickly reproduce them.
  • UseΒ Ctrl + Shift + arrow keysΒ to rapidly edit data points right in the chart.
  • Don’t forget theΒ Delete keyΒ to quickly remove unwanted chart elements or data series.
  • Experiment with different chart types and stylesΒ to find the most effective ways to visualize your data.

With practice, you’ll be able to make sophisticated graphs and charts in mere seconds using these shortcuts!

Final Thoughts

Learning theΒ shortcuts for making graphs in ExcelΒ is one of the best ways to speed up your workflow and become a spreadsheet power user. The Alt + F1 shortcut instantly transforms selected data into a chart, while additional keys allow you to change the type, style, structure, data, labels, and other elements without ever reaching for your mouse.

Mastering Excel’s charting keyboard shortcutsΒ will dramatically boost your efficiency in visualizing and reporting data. Try out these shortcuts and you’ll be amazed at how quickly you can create compelling, professional-quality charts. Over time, you’ll naturally memorize theΒ key combinations for the graph options you use most, and significantly streamline your Excel productivity!

FAQs

What is the keyboard shortcut for creating a chart in Excel?

The keyboard shortcut for creating a chart in Excel is Alt + F1. This shortcut will instantly create a chart based on the data you have selected in your worksheet.

How do I change the chart type using keyboard shortcuts in Excel?

To change the chart type using keyboard shortcuts, press Ctrl + 1 to open the β€œFormat Chart Area” pane. Then, use the Tab key to navigate to the β€œChart Options” menu and use the Up/Down arrows to select your desired chart type. Press Enter to apply the changes.

Can I add or remove chart elements using keyboard shortcuts?

Yes, you can add or remove chart elements using keyboard shortcuts. Press Ctrl + 1 to open the β€œFormat Chart Area” pane, then use the Tab key to navigate to the β€œChart Options” section. Use the Up/Down arrows to select the chart element you want to add or remove, and press Spacebar to check or uncheck the box for that element.

How do I edit the data of a chart using keyboard shortcuts?

To edit a specific data point in a chart, select the chart and press Ctrl + Shift + Right/Left arrow to select the data series. Then, press Ctrl + Shift + Up/Down arrow to highlight the data point you want to edit. Press F2 to enter edit mode, make your changes, and press Enter to apply the changes.

Is there a quick way to remove a data series from a chart using keyboard shortcuts?

Yes, to remove a data series from a chart using keyboard shortcuts, select the chart and press Ctrl + Shift + Right/Left arrow until the data series you want to remove is selected. Then, press the Delete key to remove the selected data series from the chart.

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