How to Make a Graph in Microsoft Word

This article explains how to create a graph in Microsoft Word for a Mac or a Windows computer. Instructions in this article apply to Microsoft Word 2019, Word 2016, Word 2013, and Microsoft 365 for Windows and Mac.

How to Create a Graph in Microsoft 365 for Mac

Microsoft Word offers a variety of ways to visualize data. When you know how to make a graph in Word, you can create visual aids by importing data from Microsoft Excel.

Follow these steps to create and customize graphs in the version of Word that comes with Microsoft 365 for Mac:

1. Select Insert in the upper-left corner of Word.

2. Select Chart.

3. Hover the mouse cursor over the type of graph that you wish to create, for example, Line or Statistical.

4. A sub-menu appears that contains multiple options, including different formats and variations. Select the graph you want to insert in the document.

5. In the Excel spreadsheet that opens, enter the data for the graph.

6. When you're satisfied with the category names and values, close the Excel window to see the graph in the Word document.

7. To access the data in the Excel workbook at a later time, select the graph, go to the Chart Design tab, and then select Edit Data in Excel.

How to Create a Graph in Word for Windows

To create a graph in Word for Microsoft 365, Word 2019, Word 2016, and Word 2013:

1. Select Insert in the upper-left corner of Word.

2. Select Chart.

3. In the Insert Chart dialog box, select the type of graph that you wish to create. For example, choose either Line, Bar, or Histogram.

4. Each grouping of graphs contains multiple options, including different formats and variations. After choosing the graph that you wish to insert, select OK.

5. The graph appears in the Word document, and a new window containing editable data in a spreadsheet opens. To modify the category names and data, replace the existing text and numeric values with the appropriate entries. Changes made in the spreadsheet are instantly reflected in the graph.

   If you want to edit the data in Microsoft Excel, select Edit Data in Microsoft Excel in the miniature spreadsheet.

6. When you're satisfied with the category names and values, close the spreadsheet window.

How to Change the Graph Format and Edit Data

After the graph is created, formatting buttons appear to the right. If these buttons aren't visible, select the chart. These settings control how the graph interacts with the text around it from a layout perspective.

You can also add or remove elements in the graph (including titles, labels, gridlines, and a legend), change graph styles and colors, and apply filters to the graph. More configurable options are found in the Windows version as opposed to macOS.

To access or edit the data in the graph, select Edit Data or Edit Data in Excel.