Question

Which of the following chart types in Excel 2007 is best suited for displaying trends over time?

• A. Pie chart
• B. Column chart
• C. Line chart
• D. Scatter chart

Answer 1

Answer:

C. Line chart

Line Charts in MS Excel

• Line charts are the most effective type of chart in MS Excel for visualizing data that changes over a continuous period, such as time. They connect individual data points with straight lines, making it easy to observe patterns, trends, and fluctuations.
• Key Features and Uses:
  • Time Series Data: Ideal for plotting stock prices over months, temperature changes over days, sales figures over years, or website traffic over weeks.
  • Trend Identification: Clearly shows upward, downward, or cyclical trends.
  • Comparison: Multiple lines can be plotted on the same chart to compare trends of different categories over the same time period.
  • Data Points: Each point on the line represents a specific value at a particular point in time.
• Excel 2007 Context: While the question specifies Excel 2007, line charts have been a fundamental chart type in Excel for many versions and remain a primary choice for time-series analysis in all subsequent versions, including the latest ones.
• Alternatives and Why They Are Less Suitable:
  • Bar Charts: Better for comparing discrete categories rather than continuous trends. While they can show values at different time points, the line connecting them is missing, making trend observation less intuitive.
  • Pie Charts: Used to show proportions of a whole at a single point in time, not trends over time.
  • Area Charts: Similar to line charts but fill the area below the line, emphasizing the magnitude of change over time. Can be useful, but line charts are often preferred for clarity of precise trends, especially when comparing multiple series.

Exam-Related Points:

• Understand the primary purpose of each chart type in Excel.
• Recall that line charts are specifically designed for showing trends, especially over time.
• Be aware of common alternatives and why they are less suitable for time-series data.