Apple numbers User Manual

 Using Charts

 

Data series are represented differently in different kinds of charts:

 In column charts and bar charts, a data series is represented by a series of bars in the 

same fill (color or texture). 

 In a line chart (also called a graph), a data series is represented by a single line. 
 In an area chart, a data series is represented by an area shape. 
 In a pie chart, only a single data set (the first data point in each series) is represented 

on the chart.

 In a scatter chart, two columns of data are used to plot values for a single data series. 

Each pair of values determines the position of one data point.

Adding a Chart

You can add a chart that shows all the data in a table or only data in selected cells of 
one or more tables. 

When you add a chart, Numbers defines default data series and axis labels, but you can 
change the series or the labels:

 In most cases, if a table is square or if it’s wider than tall, the table rows are the 

default series. Otherwise, the columns are the default series. To change the data 
series, select the chart and then click a data series button in the upper left of the 
related table.

 If a table contains header rows or cells, Numbers uses their contents to create default 

axis labels. In the absence of header cells, Numbers uses text in the first column or 
row as axis labels. Otherwise, placeholder text is used for labels.

Series labels identify the data series elements (individual bars, for example) in the 
chart.

Category labels identify data sets (groups of bars, for example) in the chart.

You can show and hide, edit, move, reorient, and format axis labels as “Adding Labels 
and Axis Markings” on page 108 describes.

These are category labels.

These are series labels.