Make Awesome Excel Visuals like The Economist Magazine

Introduction

In this tutorial, you will learn how to create stunning Excel visuals inspired by The Economist magazine. We will cover three popular chart types: a stacked bar chart, a table with conditional formatting, and a combo chart that combines stacked bar charts and scatter plots. These skills will enhance your data presentation, making it more engaging and informative.

Step 1: Create a Stacked Bar Chart

To start, we will create a stacked bar chart, which is effective for displaying parts of a whole.

1. Prepare Your Data

   • Organize your data in a table with categories in the first column and values in subsequent columns.

2. Insert the Chart

   • Select your data range.
   • Go to the Insert tab.
   • Click on "Bar Chart" and select "Stacked Bar Chart."

3. Customize the Chart

   • Use the Chart Tools to adjust colors, labels, and styles.
   • Add data labels for clarity.

4. Final Adjustments

   • Resize the chart as needed.
   • Make sure to check the legends and axis titles for accuracy.

Step 2: Create a Table with Conditional Formatting

Next, we will create a visually appealing table using conditional formatting and borders.

1. Set Up Your Table

   • Enter your data into an Excel worksheet.

2. Apply Conditional Formatting

   • Highlight the data range.
   • Go to the Home tab and click on "Conditional Formatting."
   • Choose a formatting style (e.g., Color Scales, Data Bars) that suits your data.

3. Add Borders

   • Select the range of your table.
   • Right-click and choose "Format Cells."
   • Go to the Border tab and select your desired border style.

4. Finalize the Table

   • Adjust the table’s size and format to ensure clarity and professionalism.

Step 3: Create a Combo Chart with Stacked Bar and Scatter Plot

For the final visual, we will create a combo chart that combines both a stacked bar chart and a scatter plot.

1. Prepare Your Data

   • Ensure your data is organized, with one set for the stacked bars and another for the scatter plot.

2. Insert the Combo Chart

   • Select your entire data range.
   • Navigate to the Insert tab.
   • Click on "Combo Chart" and select "Create Custom Combo Chart."
   • Choose "Stacked Bar" for one data series and "Scatter" for another.

3. Customize Chart Elements

   • Adjust the axis to reflect your data correctly.
   • Format the scatter plot points for visibility.

4. Final Touches

   • Ensure that your chart is clearly labeled.
   • Resize and format for a polished look.

Conclusion

In this tutorial, you've learned to create three impressive Excel visuals similar to those found in The Economist magazine. Mastering these techniques will enhance your data presentation skills significantly. For further learning, consider exploring Excel courses or additional resources to deepen your knowledge. Practice these skills to create impactful visuals for your data reports.