Infographics combine various visual aids such as bar charts pie charts and numbered lists
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In Illustrator, you can create different types of graphs and customize them to suit your needs. Click and hold the Graph tool ( ) in the Tools panel to see all different types of graphs you can create.Create different types of graphs in IllustratorCreate graphs
Enter graph dataYou use the Graph Data window to enter the data for your graph. The Graph Data window appears automatically when you use a graph tool and stays open until you close it. Graph data window
Use graph labels and data setsLabels are words or numbers that describe two things:
A. Data set labels B. Blank cell C. Category labels
Enter labels
Enter data setsAfter you enter the labels for your graph, you’re ready to enter each set of data under the appropriate column.
The height of the column corresponds to the amount being compared. You can combine positive and negative values; negative values appear as columns extending below the horizontal axis. Column graph data with positive and negative valuesThe height of the column corresponds to the amount being compared. For stacked column graphs, numbers must be all positive or all negative. Stacked column graph dataThe length of the bar corresponds to the amount being compared. You can combine positive and negative values. Negative values appear as columns extending below the horizontal axis. Bar graph data with positive and negative valuesThe length of the bar corresponds to the amount being compared. For stacked bar graphs, numbers must be all positive or all negative. Stacked bar graph dataEach column of data corresponds to one line in the line graph. You can combine positive and negative values in a line graph. Line graph data with positive and negative valuesValues must be all positive or all negative. Each row of data entered corresponds to a filled area on the area graph. Area graphs add each column’s values to the previous column’s totals. Therefore, even if area graphs and line graphs contain the same data, they appear substantially different. Area graph dataA scatter graph differs from the other kinds of graphs in that both axes measure values; there are no categories.
Note: Disable the option Connect Data Points to remove connecting lines. Scatter graph data You can organize data sets for pie graphs similarly to other graphs. However, each row of data in the worksheet generates a separate graph.
Each number is plotted on an axis and connected to the others in the same axis to create a “web.” You can combine positive and negative values in a radar graph. Radar graph data with positive and negative valuesAdjust column width or decimal digitsTo view more or fewer digits in a column, adjust the column width. This change has no effect on the width of columns in the graph. Adjust the width of columns
Adjust the decimal precision for cells
Combine different graph typesYou can combine different graph types in one graph. For example, you may want one set of data to appear as a column graph and other sets of data to appear as a line graph. You can combine any type of graph with any other, with the exception of scatter graphs. Scatter graphs cannot be combined with any other graph type. Combining columns and lines in one graph
Format and customize graphsYou can format graphs in a variety of ways. For example, you can change the appearance and position of the graph’s axes, add drop shadows, and move the legend. Moreover, you can change the colors of shading, typeface, and typestyle; move, reflect, shear, rotate, or scale any or all parts of the graph; and customize column and marker designs. You can apply transparency, gradients, blends, brush strokes, graphic styles, and other effects to graphs. Always apply such customizations in the end, because regenerating the graph removes them.
A graph is a grouped object that is related to its data. Ungrouping the graph may disable you to make the desired changes. To edit a graph, select the parts you want to edit without ungrouping the graph, using either the Direct Selection tool ( ) or the Group Selection tool ().Elements of a graph are related to each other. The entire graph with its legends is one group. All the sets of data are a subgroup of the graph; in turn, each set of data with its legend box is a subgroup of all the sets of data. Each value is a subgroup of its set of data, and so on. Avoid ungrouping or regrouping objects that are within the graph.
With the exception of pie graphs, all graphs have a value axis which displays the unit of measurement for the graph. You can choose to display the value axis on one side or both sides of the graph. Bar, stacked bar, column, stacked column, line, and area graphs also have a category axis which defines the categories of data in the graph. You can control how many tick marks appear on each axis, change the length of tick marks, and add a prefix and suffix to numbers on the axis.
If your graph has a value axis on both sides, you can assign a different set of data to each axis. This causes Illustrator to generate a different scale for each axis. This technique is especially useful when you combine different graph types in the same graph.
For column, stacked column, bar, and stacked bar graphs, you can adjust the amount of space between each column or bar in the graph. You can also adjust the amount of space between the categories, or clusters, of data in the graph. For line, scatter, and radar graphs, you can adjust the appearance of lines and data points.
You can change the placement of the legend and how wedges are sorted in pie graphs. You can also specify how you want to display multiple pie graphs.
By default, the legend is displayed to the right of the graph. However, you can choose to display it horizontally across the top of the graph.
Illustrator uses a default font and font size when generating text for the graph’s labels and legend. However, you can easily change the formatting of type to add visual interest to your graph.
You can apply drop shadows behind the columns, bars, or lines in a graph, and to entire pie graphs.
Add pictures and symbols to graphsAbout graph designsYou can use graph designs to add illustrations to columns and markers. Graph designs can be simple drawings, logos, or other symbols representing values in a graph; they can also be complex objects that contain patterns and guide objects. Illustrator comes with a variety of preset graph designs. In addition, you can create new graph designs and store them in the Graph Design dialog box. You can apply graph design to columns in several ways: Vertically scaled design Is stretched or compressed vertically. Its width does not change.
Uniformly scaled design Is scaled both vertically and horizontally. The horizontal spacing of the designs is not adjusted for the different widths.
Repeating design Stacks a design to fill the columns. You can specify the value that each design represents, as well as whether you want to chop or scale designs that represent fractions.
Sliding design Is similar to a vertically scaled design, except that you can specify where in the design to stretch or compress it. For example, if you were using a person to represent data, you might stretch or compress only the body, but not the head. Using the Vertically Scaled option would scale the entire person.
Import a column or marker designYou can transfer the graph designs you create between documents.
Create a column design
Create a sliding column design
Apply a column design to a graph
Add totals to a column design
Create a marker design
Apply a marker design to a line or scatter graph
Reuse a graph designYou can reuse a graph design that you created and edit it to make a new design. If you have the original artwork, you can alter it and then rename the design using the Graph Design dialog box. If you don’t have the original artwork defined as a graph design, you can retrieve the original by pasting the graph design into your artwork.
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