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You are learning Creating Charts and Graphs in MS Excel

How to create a map chart to visualize data geographically?

Here's how to create a map chart to visualize data geographically in Excel:

1. Prepare your data:

* Ensure your data includes two columns:
* One column containing geographical locations (countries, states, etc.). This data should be formatted as text and match places recognized by Excel's map functionality.
* Another column containing the numerical values you want to represent on the map (e.g., sales figures, population density).

2. Optional: Convert locations to geography data type (recommended):

* Select the column containing location names.
* Go to the "Data" tab.
* Click on "Data Types" in the "Data Tools" group.
* Choose "Geography" from the available options. This step helps Excel recognize your locations and ensures accurate mapping.

3. Create the map chart:

* Select any cell within your data range.
* Go to the "Insert" tab.
* Click on "Charts" in the "Charts" group.
* Hover over the "Maps" section and choose the desired map chart type (e.g., Filled Map, Bubble Map).

4. Observe the results:

Excel will automatically generate a map chart based on your data. Locations will be plotted on the map, and colors will be assigned based on the corresponding values in your data set.

5. Customize your map chart (optional):

* You can customize the map's appearance, color coding, legend, and other elements using the options available under the "Chart Design" and "Format" tabs on the ribbon.

Tips:

* Ensure your location data is accurate and uses consistent formatting (e.g., all countries in uppercase).
* You can use a data table at the bottom of the chart to view the underlying data for each location point.
* Map charts are a great way to visualize trends and patterns in data with a geographical context.

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