How to Create a 3-D Clustered Column Graph

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Spreadsheet programs like Microsoft Excel let users create 3-D clustered column graphs.

In business, computer spreadsheets containing data and statistics are a crucial resource that helps decision-makers guide the path of their companies. Unfortunately, the information in a spreadsheet can be overwhelming without a visual element to express the data. One visually pleasing way of presenting data is through the use of graphs. Spreadsheet programs, such as Microsoft Excel, offer a solution to quickly create graphs in minutes. One such graph is called a 3-D clustered column graph that gives the illusion of depth.

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Step 1

Open Excel. Click the "Office" button.

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Step 2

Click "Open." Double-click the name of the spreadsheet on which you want to create a 3-D clustered column graph.

Step 3

Click the spreadsheet cell in which you want to place the chart.

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Step 4

Click "Insert" and "Column." This will open a drop-down menu that gives you the option to choose the format of the column chart.

Step 5

Click "All Chart Types." This will open the "Insert Chart" pop-up window that will display the 19 available column graph options available.

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Step 6

Click "3-D Clustered Column."

Step 7

Click "OK." A blank chart will appear in the cell you selected in Step 3. The menu at the top of the spreadsheet screen will automatically switch from the "Insert" to the "Design" tab.

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Step 8

Click "Select Data" and "Add." This will open the "Edit Series" pop-up window.

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Step 9

Click the blank text box listed under "Series name" to place the text cursor in the text box.

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Step 10

Type a label for the first set of columns on your 3-D clustered column graph.

Step 11

Click the text box listed under "Series values." Delete the existing text, shown as "={1}."

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Step 12

Find the range of cells on your spreadsheet that you want the first set of columns on your graph to represent. Highlight them. This will automatically add these cell locations to the "Series values" text box on the "Edit Series" pop-up window.

Step 13

Click "OK." This will return you to the "Select Data Source" pop-up window. The first set of 3-D columns on your graph will appear.

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Step 14

Click "Add." Click the blank text box listed under "Series name" on the "Edit Series" pop-up window.

Step 15

Type a label for the second set of columns on your 3-D clustered column graph.

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Step 16

Click the text box listed under "Series values" on the "Edit Series" pop-up window. Delete the existing text, shown as "={1}."

Step 17

Highlight the range of cells on your spreadsheet that you want the second set of columns to represent. This will automatically add these cell locations to the "Series values" text box on the "Edit Series" pop-up window.

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Step 18

Click "OK." This will return you to the "Select Data Source" pop-up window. The second set of 3-D columns on your graph will appear.

Step 19

Repeat Steps 14 through 18 for each additional set of columns you want to add to the graph.

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Step 20

Click "OK" on the "Select Data Source" pop-up window. This will return you to the spreadsheet screen and finalize your 3-D clustered column graph.

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