In general, use whole numbers unless you have a specific reason for including decimals
Axis titles are optional and should not be used if the information is given elsewhere or is self-evident
Do not add unit
120
symbols (e.g., $
or M) to the axis
100
labels (except for
%).
80
Set the intervals
60
to the largest
reasonable value
40
possible
20
0
All numbers in the graph (data and axis labels) should be the same size. Text labels may be smaller if necessary
Templates – Graphs
US Business Group
Agenda
General rules Bar and column graphs Line and combination graphs Area graphs Pie graphs Scatter plot and bubble graphs
In general, include all relevant information while keeping the graph as simple as possible
Cumulative number of Rhodes Scholars, 1900-1980
Harvard vs. Yale
Yale Harvard
42 1900
78 1920
16 20
50 25
1940
1960
99 32
1980
If a legend is needed, place it to the right of the graph or within the plot area. Do not add a border and set the font to roughly the same size as the data labels
35
30
25
20
15
10
5
4
0 1995
7 1996
32 25 16
1997
1998E
1999E
The safest way to change the size or position of graph elements is to do so within the native graph application itself
Title is bold, with the time period appearing after a comma. Always write out the year in full. The optional subtitle provides additional info on the data and is not bold, italics, 2 points smaller than the title. Line spacing is 1
Participation in Harley Davidson conventions, 1998-2002
Thousands of people
35
When used, axis
30
tick marks should
be placed on the
25
outside of the axis
20
16
In general, do not use borders on bars, columns, pie pieces, et cetera
Be careful when resizing graphs!
If resizing graphs in the main PowerPoint application, make sure to use only the corner object boxes (see diagram)
When the data refers to projected or e the year label
Remember to adjust the document title tracker when you create a new document. It should match the name of the PowerPoint file
Make sure that the graph is resized with the same aspect ratio (vertical/horizontal proportions)
If the text becomes distorted, undo immediately!
Use the corner object boxes only when resizing graphs! It is also advisable to hold down the <shift> key when doing so
Presenter/timing Presenter/timing Presenter/timing Presenter/timing Presenter/timing Presenter/timing
Create graphs using the native PowerPoint chart software, rather than pasting graphs from Excel
15
10
7
5
4
0 1998
1999
2000
32 25
2001
2002E
CAGR 1998-2002
68%
The CAGR block should be placed to the right of the graph. Font size should be close to that the graph’s data labels