Percentages interpret your data as smaller parts of a larger piece. This is why pie charts are often a popular way to demonstrate percentages. However, if you want to conserve space and still present an attractive, effective visual of your percentage data, Excel 2007 offers a great alternative.
When you apply data bars, the bars visually demonstrate the percentage or number in comparison to the other numbers in the data range, much like a bar chart would. If you widen or contract the column’s width, the data bars remain proportionate.
If you have any questions regarding this tip or need help implementing it in your own projects, contact Ranelle Maltas, Application Support Associate, at 472-0585 or e-mail at rmaltas2@unl.edu.
