How To Fix Using Charts And Graphs In Numbers On Mac, Ipad And Iphone

Using charts and graphs in Apple's Numbers app can significantly enhance the presentation and analysis of your data. Here’s a detailed guide on how to effectively use and customize charts in Numbers on Mac, iPad, and iPhone.

Selecting Data for Your Chart

Before creating a chart, it's crucial to select the data you want to use. On all devices, you can select the table cells containing the data by dragging over the cells. If you want to include an entire row or column, tap the corresponding header cell on iPad and iPhone, or click the header cell on Mac.

On Mac

• Select the Data: Click and drag over the cells in your table to select the data.
• Create the Chart: Go to the top menu, click Insert > Chart, and choose the type of chart you want.

On iPad and iPhone

• Select the Data: Tap and drag over the cells in your table to select the data.
• Create the Chart: Tap the + icon at the top, select the Chart icon, and choose the type of chart you want.

Creating a New Chart

Once you've selected your data, you can create a new chart.

On Mac

• Insert Chart: After selecting your data, go to Insert > Chart and choose from 2D, 3D, or Interactive charts.
• Choose Chart Type: Select the chart type that best represents your data, such as a column, line, or scatter chart.

On iPad and iPhone

• Insert Chart: After selecting your data, tap the + icon at the top, select the Chart icon, and choose from 2D, 3D, or Interactive charts.
• Choose Chart Type: Swipe through the available chart types and select the one that best fits your data.

Formatting Your Chart

Formatting your chart can make it more readable and visually appealing.

On Mac

• Format Button: Select the chart and click the Format button on the top right. This opens the sidebar with tabs for Chart, Axis, Series, and Arrange.
  • Chart Tab: Change the color scheme, add a title or legend, adjust font style, size, and color, add a background or border, apply shadow, round the corners, and adjust the gap size.
  • Axis Tab: Display axis names and lines, choose a different axis scale, adjust labels, include reference lines and tick marks, and format gridlines.
  • Series Tab: Include value labels, trendlines, and error bars.
  • Arrange Tab: Move the chart backward or forward, adjust alignment, size, and position, and lock the chart.

On iPad and iPhone

• Format Icon: Select the chart and tap the Format icon (paintbrush) at the top. Use the Chart, Style, Data, and Arrange tabs to format the chart.
  • Chart Tab: Adjust the chart type, add a title, and change the color scheme.
  • Style Tab: Customize the appearance of your chart, including data symbols and connection lines.
  • Data Tab: Edit data references, add or remove data series, and switch between rows and columns as data series.
  • Arrange Tab: Adjust the position, size, and alignment of the chart.

Editing Chart Data

Editing the data in your chart is straightforward.

On Mac

• Edit Data References: Select the chart and click the Edit Data References button. This highlights the chart data on your sheet. You can add or remove entire data series, edit specific data points, and switch between rows and columns as series.
• Change Plot Series: Use the drop-down menu at the bottom left to switch between columns and rows for the plot series.

On iPad and iPhone

• Edit References: Tap the chart, then tap Edit References. You can remove a data series, add an entire row or column as a data series, and add data from a range of cells.
• Switch Plot Series: Tap the chart, tap Edit References, then tap the toolbar and select Plot Rows as Series or Plot Columns as Series.

Including Hidden Data

If your table includes hidden rows or columns, you can choose to include this data in your chart.

On Mac

• Show Hidden Data: Select the chart, go to the Format sidebar, click the Chart tab, and select the Hidden Data checkbox in the Chart Options section.

On iPad and iPhone

• Show Hidden Data: Tap the chart, tap the Format icon, then tap Data. Turn on Show Hidden Data.

Handling Large Data Sets

If your chart references a table with a large number of data points, Numbers may downsample the data to improve performance.

On Mac and iPad

• Downsampling: If your chart data is being downsampled, a message appears when you click Large Data Set in the Chart tab of the Format sidebar. To see all data points, create the chart from a smaller table or a smaller selection of data.

By following these steps, you can effectively create, format, and edit charts in Numbers on Mac, iPad, and iPhone, ensuring your data is presented clearly and professionally.