Tables and Charts

Adding a Table

Insert → Table and choose rows x columns. Paste data from Excel - it lands in the grid. Format with Table Design (styles, banded rows) and Layout (add/delete rows, merge cells).

Tables Done Right

• Keep tables small: 4-6 rows on a slide is about the limit.
• Bold the header row and give the table a thin style.
• Highlight the key figure with a color fill so eyes land where you want.

Charts That Tell the Story

Insert → Chart: pick Column, Line, Pie or Bar. PowerPoint opens a small Excel-sheet; edit the numbers and the chart redraws:

• Column/Bar - compare categories.
• Line - trends over time.
• Pie - proportion (max five slices).

Formatting Charts

• Chart Design → Quick Layout, Change Colors; right-click elements → Format to tweak.
• Add data labels (Chart Design → Add Chart Element) so the numbers are undeniable.
• Remove chart junk: legends with one series, gridlines, 3-D effects.

Charts vs Tables

Tiny data = table; patterns and trends = chart. Never show both on the same slide if the data is the same.

Key Points

• Edit numbers in the linked sheet; both Excel and PowerPoint reflect it.
• One chart per slide, one message per chart.
• Labels > legends; simplicity > decoration.