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K-12 Chart Maker

New Chart

Let's make a new chart!

Here at the Bureau of Labor Statistics, we make tons of charts. Why? Because they are a great way of visualizing and comparing data that might otherwise be difficult to do so. Given the choice, wouldn't you rather look at a line chart than a complex table? Which do you think is easier to quickly understand?

Using this tool, you can make your own chart in a few steps. Try it with your own data (perhaps you can plot how many hours you spent watching TV every day this week), or try charting something found on the BLS website. Ready to begin?

Tip: If you make a mistake, or don't like how your chart ends up looking, you can go back and change any part of it by using the menu to the left. To start over, click the "Get Started!" button again.

Name your chart

That's great! First of all, what would you like the title of the chart to say? A chart title should describe in the simplest manner possible what the chart is trying to show.

My Chart Title:

Line, column or bar?

Next, what type of chart would you like to make? Line charts are good for data that changes over a certain time span. Column charts are good for comparing several items at one point in time. Bar charts are simular to column charts, but turned on their side so that the X and Y-Axes are swapped; this is useful when the item names are long.

Choose a chart type:

Line

Column

Bar

Plotting the X-Axis

A line chart it is!

Now it's time to plot the x-axis dates. To prevent the chart from being misleading, they should be at a regular interval without gaps.

Now it's time to plot the x-axis points. In a column chart each x-axis point will have its own value, which we'll later assign. They can also be grouped into different series sets.

Now it's time to plot the x-axis points. In a bar chart, that's the vertical axis. Each x-axis point will have its own value, which we'll later assign. They can also be grouped into different series sets.

Type or paste your dates into the box, with each date or category on a new line.

On the line chart:
X-Axis example

Example:

Enter data here:

Y-Axis

Now let's work on the vertical axis. That's the y-axis. It's usually a good idea to give the y-axis a short title to show people what the chart is measuring. Something like "percent," or "miles" could work well.

Now let's work on the y-axis. On a bar chart, that's the horizontal axis. It's usually a good idea to give the y-axis a short title to show people what the chart is measuring. Something like "percent," or "miles" could work well.

Now let's work on the y-axis. On a column chart, that's the vertical axis. It's usually a good idea to give the y-axis a short title to show people what the chart is measuring. Something like "percent," or "miles" could work well.

Y-Axis Title:

Also, would you like your y-axis to begin at 0, or at an automatically calculated value?

Start on 0?

On the line chart:
Y-Axis example

Series 1: Give your line a name

Every line — in other words, every series — should have a name. This name will appear in the chart's legend and in the tooltip when the line is hovered over.

Every set of bars — in other words, every series — should have a name. This name will appear in the chart's legend and in the tooltip when the bars are hovered over.

Every set of columns — in other words, every series — should have a name. This name will appear in the chart's legend and in the tooltip when the columns are hovered over.

Series Name:

Plotting the Y-Axis Data

OK, now it's time to plot the data points of lineseries . Remember, your x-axis had points, so you'll need to plot exactly values for it to graph correctly. Type or paste each value on a new line. After you're finished, choose what you want to do next.