How to Make a Chart in Google Sheets

Turn a block of data into a column, line, or pie chart in Google Sheets, then change the type, adjust titles and colors, and download or embed it.

You have a table with months in column A and sales in column B, and you want a chart of it. Google Sheets builds one from a selected range and lets you change the type and styling in a sidebar.

Select the data, including the headers

Click the first header cell and drag to the last number, for example A1:B13. Including the header row lets Sheets use the column names as the axis label and series name.

Insert the chart

Click Insert, Chart. A chart appears on the sheet and the Chart editor sidebar opens on the right with a suggested chart type. For a month and amount table, the suggestion is usually a line or column chart.

Change the chart type

In the Chart editor, on the Setup tab, open the Chart type dropdown and pick one:

  • Column chart compares amounts across categories.
  • Line chart shows a trend over time.
  • Pie chart shows each category as a share of the total. It uses the first column for labels and the second for values.

The chart on the sheet redraws as soon as you pick a type.

Check the data range and series

Still on the Setup tab, Data range shows the cells the chart reads. Click the grid icon next to it to change the range. Under X-axis and Series, confirm the right columns are used. If the header row is being plotted as data, tick Use row 1 as headers.

Set titles, colors, and the legend

Open the Customize tab:

  • Chart & axis titles sets the chart title and the axis labels.
  • Series changes the color of the bars or line.
  • Legend moves the legend to the top, bottom, or right, or hides it.

Close the sidebar with the X when you are done.

Move and resize the chart

Click the chart once and drag it anywhere on the sheet. Drag a corner handle to resize it. Double-click the chart to reopen the Chart editor later.

To export or embed the chart. Click the three-dot menu in the top right corner of the chart. Download saves it as PNG, PDF, or SVG, Copy chart puts it on the clipboard for pasting into Docs or Slides, and Publish chart gives you a link or embed code that updates when the data changes.

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