What you will build

Turn the sample table (Month, Sales) into a chart whose categories and values can be checked directly against the visible source cells.

Learning objectives

Open the practice workbook

The workbook uses a small fictional dataset. TSV copies data only; the XLSX file is the independent downloadable fallback.

HANDS-ON PRACTICE

Practice in your own copy

Make your own Google Sheets copy with the same data, formulas, formatting, filter and frozen header. The original remains unchanged.

Make a Google Sheets copy (access required) ↗View original

Sign in to Google. If the original is not publicly shared, download the full workbook and import it into Google Sheets, or paste the example data into your own sheet.

Complete Month and Sales source table in the _result workbook before creating the chart.

Sample data

MonthSales
Jan120
Feb180
Mar150
Apr220

Blank cells are reserved for formulas or lesson outcomes; do not type guessed answers into them.

Hands-on practice

Step 1: Select A1:B5 so Month, Sales, and all four data rows are included.

Range A1:B5 selected in full, including Month, Sales and all four Jan–Apr rows.

Step 2: Choose Insert > Chart. In Chart editor, keep A1:B5 as the range and choose a column chart if Sheets does not select a clear default.

The Insert menu is open with the pointer directly on the Chart command.
Chart editor shows a Column chart with data range A1:B5, Month on the X-axis and Sales as the series.

Step 3: Check that Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr appear on the horizontal axis and the bars represent 120, 180, 150, and 220.

Final result: the Jan–Apr column chart shows 120, 180, 150 and 220 beside the visible source table.

Checkpoint

MonthSales
Jan120
Feb180
Mar150
Apr220

For formula lessons, result cells must be calculated rather than typed manually.

Common mistakes and fixes

Correction: return to the exact range and command named in the steps, then compare the live sheet with the Month, Sales source fields.

Independent practice

Add one row with the same schema, repeat the action, verify the new row behaves correctly, then remove it to restore the sample.

Key takeaways

  • ✓Turn the sample table (Month, Sales) into a chart whose categories and values can be checked directly against the visible source cells.
  • ✓Select A1:B5 so Month, Sales, and all four data rows are included.
  • ✓Choose Insert > Chart. In Chart editor, keep A1:B5 as the range and choose a column chart if Sheets does not select a clear default.
  • ✓If the chart shows the wrong categories or values, reopen Chart editor and confirm the data range includes the header row and only the intended source columns.
  • ✓Add one row with the same schema, repeat the action, verify the new row behaves correctly, then remove it to restore the sample.
QUICK CHECK

Check your understanding

Answer four questions about the practice sheet.

1. What is the correct first action in “Build your first chart”?
2. Which follow-up action belongs to “Build your first chart”?
3. What should you verify before “Build your first chart” is complete?
4. Which correction is appropriate if “Build your first chart” behaves unexpectedly?

Next lesson

Continue in recommended learning order with Import CSV files.