How to Create a Graph in Excel for iPad

Select your data, and then pick Charts from the Insert menu

By
Daniel Nations
Daniel Nations
Daniel Nations
Writer
  • University of Texas at Arlington
Daniel Nations has been a tech journalist since 1994. His work has appeared in Computer Currents, The Examiner, and other publications. He is a developer who has published apps in the Apple App Store, Google Play marketplace and Amazon Appstore; he also has worked as a data analyst and DB administrator.
lifewire's editorial guidelines
Updated on March 23, 2021

What to Know

  • Select the cells containing the data you want to use, then select Insert > Charts.
  • Choose the type of chart you want to use. Options include Column, Line, Pie, Bar, and Area.
  • Select the chart to reveal additional options like Types, Layouts, Elements, Colors, and Styles.

This article explains how to turn a collection of numbers into attractive, easy-to-understand charts in Microsoft Excel for iPad. These instructions apply to Excel for iPad 2.25, which is compatible with devices with iOS 11 or later.

Excel is also part of the unified Microsoft 365 iPad app, along with Word and PowerPoint, though you can still download the apps individually. The Microsoft 365 iPad app is free to download and use, but advanced functions may require a subscription.

Create a Basic Chart in Excel for iPad

To convert numbers in a spreadsheet to a chart:

  1. Open the spreadsheet that contains the data you would like to convert into a chart.

  2. Select the upper-left cell in the spreadsheet.

    Making a chart in Excel for iPad

  3. Drag the dot in the lower-right corner of the cell (also known as the "anchor") to select all the cells containing the data you'd like to include.

    To select the entire sheet, tap the triangle in the upper-left corner.

    Making a chart in Excel for iPad

  4. Under the Insert tab, select Charts.

    Making a chart in Excel for iPad

  5. Select the type of chart you want Excel to create. Excel generates a chart based on the data and format you selected.

    If you're not sure how your data would be best represented, select Recommended. Excel recommends types of charts with previews.

    Creating a chart in Excel for iPad

How to Edit Your New Excel Chart

You can make adjustments to the new chart. Here are a few of the changes you can make to get it perfect. Select the chart to reveal the Chart options at the top of the screen.

Editing a chart in Excel for iPad

Some features are only available with a paid Microsoft 365 subscription.

  • Select Types to change the kind of chart. Use this if you made a pie chart, for example, and want to change it to a line chart.
  • Select Layouts to choose different options for the type of chart you made. Use this to keep the type the same but put labels in different places.
  • Select Elements to move elements such as the title and legend to a different location.
  • Select Colors to change the look of the chart with different color pallets.
  • Select Styles to switch between different typefaces, background patterns, and gradients for the chart.
  • Select Switch to swap the x and y-axes on the chart.
Was this page helpful?