CHM 100 – Introduction to Chemistry

Expt. #6 – Change of State

Using Microsoft Excel 2003 to Graph Your Data…

1. Sign out for a laptop computer + power adapter from your laboratory instructor

2. Connect the power adapter to your laptop, then to an outlet

3. Turn on your computer

4. When prompted, simultaneously hit the CTRL + ALT + DELETE buttons

5. Make sure the username is chemistry

6. Make sure the password box is empty

7. Click OK to log on

Inputting Data…

8. Double-click on the MS Excel icon on the screen

9. In cell A1, type in an appropriate label to describe the data you will be inputting in column A (you should include units) – this should be the data on your x-axis

10. Press ENTER or hit ¯ (the down arrow) to put your cursor in cell A2

11. Input your numerical data in column A (i.e., do NOT include units – just type in the #)

12. Repeat steps 9-11 in column B for the data on your y-axis

Creating a Graph…

13. Click on Insert at the top of the page, then select Chart

14. Click on XY (Scatter)

15. Select the most appropriate “Chart sub-type”(usually the choices in the left column)

16. Click Next

17. If the Data Range shown (the highlighted data on your Worksheet/data sheet) is correct, click Next

18. Under the Titles tab…give your graph an appropriate (chart) title

19. Next to “Value (x) axis”, indicate the type of data in column A of your Worksheet – include units

20. Next to “Value (y) axis”, indicate the type of data in column B of your Worksheet – include units

21. Click Next

22. If you want your graph displayed on its own page, click “as new sheet”.  If you want your graph displayed on the same page as your data, click “as object in”.

23. Click Finish

Note:  At this point, your lab instructor may want you to customize your graph per his/her instructions.  This may include adjusting the scale, changing the plot area to a white color, etc.  Wait for these instructions before you print your graph.

To print…

24. Click on File at the top of the page, then select Print Preview

25. If you like what you see, click on Print, then select the printer with your lab’s room number within its name (e.g., if you are in Rm. S-316, select the “HP Laser Jet 2300 S316” printer).  If applicable, change the page range and/or number of copies to what you desire.  Click OK.  Skip to step 27…

26. If you do NOT like what you see, click Close. 

· If you want to print your data on the same sheet as the graph, make sure your graph is NOT highlighted (e.g., click on a cell within your data)

· If you want to print just your graph, click on the graph to highlight it

Make adjustments and then take a look again at Print Preview.  Continue to do this until you are satisfied with what you see under Print Preview.  Then go to step 25…

Return laptop + power cord…

27. When you are finished with the laptop, click on the Start icon (bottom left of screen) and select Shutdown

28. When the laptop has shut off, unplug the power cord from the outlet and disconnect it from the laptop.  Wound the cord up properly.

29. Return both the laptop and the power cord to your laboratory instructor and he/she will make a note of their return on the sign out sheet

Return both the laptop and the power cord to your laboratory instructor and he/she will make a note of their return on the sign out sheet!