Excel Charts and Pivot Tables
Overview
This course provides an introduction to two of Excel’s tools for grouping and summarizing data; Charts and Pivot Tables. We have cherry-picked the essential Charts and Pivot Table topics from our Excel Data Analysis and Reporting and Excel Optimising courses to bring you a condensed, half day introduction to Excel Charts and Pivot Tables.If you’re looking for a more comprehensive training experience in either topic (or both!), we suggest you check out our half day courses:
- Excel Charts (1/2 day course)
- Excel Pivot Tables (1/2 day course)
Who should attend
This condensed course is perfect for anyone who has clean, ready -to-go data in Excel and just needs a few quick pointers on presenting that data in a meaningful way. If you work extensively with presenting data in Excel, you may want to consider our specialized half-day day courses on Excel Charts and Excel Pivot Tables.
Prerequisites
We recommend that students have knowledge equivalent to the topics covered in our Excel Essential Skills course, OR that students are:
- Comfortable creating Excel formulae
- Familiar with basic Excel functions (SUM, COUNT, AVERAGE)
- Familiar with absolute references ($A$1)
If you are new to Excel, we suggest starting with Excel Essentials Skills before tackling this course.
What you'll learn
By the end of this half-day of training, you will be able to use Excel Charts and Pivot Tables more effectively enabling you and your company to better analyse and summarise data.
Course content
The Excel Window
- Command Tabs
- Accessing the Research Task Pane
- Identifying Different Cursor Shapes
Using Charts
- Create a Chart
- Changing Chart location to a separate sheet
- Move a chart within a worksheet
- Resize a chart
- Change an existing chart to a different chart type
- Overall Chart Design
- Chart Styles
- Chart Layout
- Chart Shape Design
- Shape Styles
- Shape Colours
- Shape Outlines
- Shape Effects
- Chart Text Design
- Chart Labels
- Chart Axes
- Chart Gridlines
- Chart Background
- Moving an Embedded Chart
- Resizing an Embedded Chart
- Adding More Data
Selecting the Correct Chart & Data
- General Guidelines On Which Type Of Chart To Use
- Add data to an existing chart
- Add a data series to a chart
- Drag the sizing handles of ranges to add data to an embedded chart
- Change the data in an existing chart
- Change the cell range that a chart is based on
- Rename or edit a data series that is displayed in a chart
- Change the order of the data series
- the horizontal (category) axis labels
- Remove data from a chart
- Delete source data on the worksheet
Editing Charts
- Select a chart element by using the mouse
- Select a chart element from a list of chart elements
- Changing the Chart Type
- Changing the cells to be plotted
- Changing fonts and formats
Understanding Series
- The Series Function
- Adding or deleting a Series
- Replace Cell References With Literal Values
Trendlines and Error Bars
- Adding a Trendline
- Change the format or settings of a trendline
- Adding Error Bars
Excel Databases & Tables
- Databases
- Tables
- Formatting Table Styles
- Add data to a Table
- Add a blank row at the end of the table
- Resize a table
- Insert a table row or column
- Delete rows or columns in a table
- Remove duplicate rows from a table
- Remove blank rows from a table
- Total the data in an Excel table
Summarising data with PivotTables
- Creating a Pivot Table
- Formatting the Pivot Table
- Calculated Fields
- Calculated Items
Creating PivotCharts
- Creating a Pivot Chart
- Formatting the Pivot Chart
- Modifying the Pivot Chart
Distribution
- Sending as an Attachment
- Creating a PDF
- Compatibility Check
- Saving a workbook for earlier versions
- Converting earlier versions to the current version
Common questions
When does Excel Charts and Pivot Tables next run?
The next date is Thu, 3 Sept 2026, and there are 9 further dates scheduled. Delivered ACE Training Wellington, ACE Training Auckland, ACE Training Hamilton, live online. Every date and its format is listed on this page.
How much does Excel Charts and Pivot Tables cost?
From $325 + GST per person. Pricing can differ by date and location, so check the option you want before booking.
Do I need any prior experience?
We recommend that students have knowledge equivalent to the topics covered in our Excel Essential Skills course, OR that students are: Comfortable creating Excel formulae Familiar with basic Excel functions (SUM, COUNT, AVERAGE) Familiar with absolute references ($A$1) If you are new to Excel, we suggest starting with…
Can I attend online, or does it have to be in a classroom?
Both. Some dates run live online and others in-class — each date on this page shows its format, so pick whichever suits.
Can you run this course for my team?
Yes. Any ACE course can be delivered in-house at your workplace and tailored to your team's tools and goals — quote course code Excel-Charts-and-Pivot-Tables when you enquire.
