Make Simple Charts Quickly Using Canva
When done well, charts can make it easier (and faster!) for your audience to understand your point.
Today I’ll be walking you through how to make simple, great looking charts quickly and easily using Canva.
Canva is my go to site for all things graphics, including presentation slide decks. I find it very intuitive and easy to learn.
Canva has a free and paid version. While you can do a lot with the free version, it definitely has its limits. I’ve found the paid version indispensable, and quite reasonably priced.
If you haven’t already, head over to Canva.com, open an account and let’s get started!
Step #1 Decide which type of chart is best for your data.
Canva provides three options:
bar charts: If you want to show the popularity/effectiveness/quality/frequency of something, especially when you are making a comparison, a bar chart is the way to go.
pie charts: These are a good way of showing percentages of something, especially if you have six items or less which add up to your whole.
line graphs: Use a line graph when you want to show a representation between two categories, e.g., a higher level of education leads to a lower level of poverty.
Step #2 Start your chart.
Within your slide deck, click on “Elements” in the left-hand menu bar and then “charts”.
From here, choose the type of chart you decided on. It will appear in the work space, where you can customize it.
Step #3 Add your data and title.
Double click on any item number and a table will appear in which you can fill in your data.
The only slightly challenging part here is that under “label” there’s a limit to the number of characters that will fit, so you might have to use abbreviations. Remember, though, that you can always explain these during your talk.
When you’ve finished filling in your data, add a title. I suggest a catchy, memorable title versus one that fully explains your infographic, since, as with the abbreviations mentioned above, you’ll have a chance to go into more detail as you speak.
Also, you’ll probably want to move your chart down a little so that there’s more space for your title above.
Step #4 Edit the colors and fonts of your chart.
If you click on your chart, you’ll notice that in the toolbar near the top of the page there’s a square box filled with the main color of your chart. If you click on that box, other color options will come up.
It’s kind of hard to go wrong here as Canva itself comes up with complimentary colors based on the main color that you choose.
There’s also the option to change the font of your text. Click on your title and the toolbar will show you the name of your font and its size, both of which can be changed. Click on the chart and you’ll be given the same change options for the text in your chart.
I strongly suggest going with a simple, easy to read font. Your audience will thank you for it. :)
#5. Your chart is ready to use!
You can present from Canva if you like.
You can also simply download your chart as a PNG file to use in other programs.
Alternatively, if you’ll be downloading your deck to use in PowerPoint, Canva has made it easy.
Click on “share.”
Scroll down and click “more.”
Scroll down to “Microsoft PowerPoint” and click “download.”
Before presenting, be sure to review the slides as they appear in PowerPoint. Sometimes during importing, small changes occur (such as spaces being added or deleted) that need to be adjusted.
Bonus Tip: Try different types of charts.
If you have time, try using a different type of chart with the same data to see which one portrays it in the clearest way.