How to Make a Chart in Google Docs
Charts are a common way to express data, which is why they’re normally seen in programs like Google Sheets that deal with large information sets. But you can also add charts and graphs to Google Docs. Whether it’s a bar, column, line, or pie chart, here’s how to make it in Docs: Easy enough, right? You’ll notice, however, that the data you see in the chart isn’t editable. You can’t just click inside it and start making changes. Docs doesn’t let you edit charts; it only supports importing them. Here’s a summary of the differences:
Bar graphs have horizontal blocks.Column charts are similar but are vertical blocks.Line graphs show data points with a straight line connecting them.Pie charts cut the data into pie-like pieces within a circle.
The real information behind the chart or graph is in Google Sheets, where the data is. Therefore, you need to be there to edit everything.
How to Edit Google Docs Charts
Changing the information inside the chart or adjusting how it appears is simple, but you have to do it from Sheets: Some surface-level editing can also be done within Docs. Moving the chart or graph is similar to how you move images, so you can define how it should sit with other text. Clicking it shows three options: in-line (it sits on the same line as the text), wrap text (it sits within the text), and break text (it sits on its own line without text on either side). To add or remove data, edit the cells that contain that information. In our example, it’s columns A–C and rows 1–5. Selecting the chart itself and opening its settings is how you modify things like the data range, colors, the legend, axis details, etc. Double-click the chart title to make your own. You can also rotate and resize charts and graphs. Select the item once to see blue border boxes like the image below shows; drag a corner box inward or outward to make the chart smaller or larger. The circular button at the top is for rotation. The three-dotted menu button that appears below the chart when you click it is how you access extra options like recoloring, transparency, brightness, and contrast toggles.
