There are two main approaches to creating charts and graphs in Excel: using the recommended charts feature and selecting a chart type yourself.

Here's a breakdown of both methods:

Method 1: Using Recommended Charts

1. Select your data: This is crucial. Highlight the range of cells containing the data points you want to visualize in the chart. Make sure to include the row or column headers if you want them displayed in the chart.

2. Insert Chart: Navigate to the "Insert" tab on the Excel ribbon. In the "Charts" group, click the "Recommended Charts" button.

3. Preview and Choose: Excel will analyze your data and suggest various chart types suitable for your information. You'll see a preview of each chart on the right side.
Click on any chart preview to see how your data would be represented in that format.

4. Select and Customize (Optional): Once you find a chart type you like, click it to insert it into your worksheet. You can further customize the chart by clicking on different chart elements and using the formatting options available on the Chart Design and Format tabs.

Method 2: Selecting a Chart Type Yourself

-- Select your data (as in method 1).

1. Insert Chart: Navigate to the "Insert" tab and click the dropdown arrow under "Recommended Charts." This will display a wider selection of chart types.

2. Choose a Chart Type: Explore the different chart categories (e.g., Column, Line, Pie, etc.) on the left side of the menu. Each category has various sub-types to choose from. Click on the chart type that best suits your data and how you want to represent it.

3. Customize the Chart (Optional): Similar to method 1, you can customize the chart after inserting it using the Chart Design and Format tabs.

Apply it yourself:

- Open an Excel worksheet and enter some sample data.
- Select the data you want to visualize (including category labels).
- Insert a chart using the "Insert" tab or ALT+F1 shortcut.
- Experiment with different chart types (Column, Line, Pie) to see which one best represents your data.
- Play around with the customization options to make your chart clear and visually appealing.

Here are some additional tips for creating effective charts in Excel:

- Choose the right chart type: Consider the kind of data you have and the message you want to convey. Column charts are good for comparing categories, line charts for trends over time, pie charts for proportions of a whole, and so on.

- Format for clarity: Use clear and concise chart titles, axis labels, and data labels. Adjust font sizes and colors for better readability.

- Highlight key points: Use features like data markers or callouts to emphasize important data points in your chart.

By following these steps and considering these tips, you can create informative and visually appealing charts and graphs to present your data effectively in Excel.