How To Chart Spending
1. Obtain state spending data from the Secretary of State. For dates between 1990 and 2001, you can download this PDF file from the Cato Institute.
2. Across the first row, enter the years, starting in the second column.
3. In the second row, label the first column "spending," and then enter the data in the second column.
4. Highlight the data, and click the Chart Wizard icon.
5. Select "line" as the type of chart. Select the first sub-type and click next. Click "finish."
6. Highlight and right-click the y-axis, which Excel calls the "value" axis. Choose "format axis."
7. Click the "scale" tab. Set the minimum to be the value of state spending in the original year. Click "okay."
8. Highlight and right-click the x-axis, which Excel calls the "category" axis. Choose "format axis."
9. On the scale tab, un-check "Value (Y) axis crosses between categories." Click "okay."
10. Click the title and change the text to the title you want.
11. Want to customize the look of your chart? It's easy. Right-click each element you want to change, and select "format [name of element.] In the first tabs, you'll be able to select the colors and fonts.
12. Congratulations, you're done!
For ideas on how to include your chart in communications materials, read our Visual Communications Guide.
