Apple Numbers '09 - Manual (Page 137)

Chapter 7 Creating Charts from Data 137
In an  area chart, a data series is represented by an area shape.
In a  pie chart, only a single data set (the first data point in each series) is represented
on the chart (whichever is listed first in the table).
In a
 scatter chart, each point on the graph is determined by both an x and a y value.
Two columns of values are plotted as x coordinates and y coordinates on a graph
representing the data points in a single data series.
To learn how to Go to
Create and edit a chart using data in one or more
tables “Creating a Chart from Table Data” on page 137
Format chart titles, legends, axes, and other
elements “Formatting Charts” on page 143
Format pie charts, line charts, and other particular
kinds of charts “Formatting Specific Chart Types” on page 154
Creating a Chart from Table Data
You can add a chart that shows all the data in a table or only data in selected cells of
one or more tables. If you change the data in a chart’s related table cells, the chart is
automatically updated.
When you add a chart, Numbers defines either the table rows or columns as the
default data series. In most cases, if the table is square or if it’s wider than it is tall, the
table rows become the default series, but you can easily switch the data series and sets
after the chart is created, as well as add, remove, and edit the chart data at any time.
If a table contains header rows or cells, Numbers uses text in the first column or row as
axis labels. Otherwise, placeholder text is used for labels, which you can later edit.
Here are ways to add select data and create a chart:
To add a chart based on an entire table, select the table, click Charts in the toolbar, and
m
choose a chart type from the pop-up menu.
On the pop-up menu,
2D charts are on the
left, and 3D charts are
on the right.
The values in the table are plotted in the chart. If the table is empty, the chart is blank
until you add values to table cells.