Exploring PowerPoint Chart Possibilities

PowerPoint charts can be as simple or as complex as you like. You can create a basic chart using the Microsoft Graph application from within PowerPoint or insert a chart you create using Microsoft Excel. You can choose from common chart types such as column, bar, line, or pie charts; try something out of the ordinary, such as a doughnut or radar chart; or create a chart type of your own. PowerPoint charts are preformatted based on the attached design template, but you can also make extensive modifications to nearly every aspect of a chart if you like—its color, text, labels, and more.

A chart, also referred to as a graph, can be a useful tool for communicating numeric information in a concise format. You could create a chart illustrating sales revenue per region or the percentage of sales allocated to each of your products, for example. As you begin to work with charts, you'll discover a multitude of uses for them.