Note: This article has done its job, and will be retiring soon. To prevent "Page not found" woes, we're removing links we know about. If you've created links to this page, please remove them, and together we'll keep the web connected.
A SmartArt graphic is a visual representation of information and ideas, and a chart is a visual illustration of numeric values or data. Basically, SmartArt graphics are designed for text and charts are designed for numbers.
Use the information below to decide when to use a SmartArt graphic and when to use a chart.
Use a SmartArt graphic if you want to do any of the following:
-
Create an organization chart.
-
Show hierarchy, such as a decision tree.
-
Illustrate steps or stages in a process or workflow.
-
Show the flow of a process, procedure, or other event.
-
List information.
-
Show cyclical or repetitive information.
-
Show a relationship between parts, such as overlapping concepts.
-
Create a matrix illustration.
-
Show proportional or hierarchical information in a pyramid illustration.
-
Create an illustration quickly by typing or pasting your text and having it automatically positioned and arranged for you.
To create a SmartArt graphic, see Create a SmartArt graphic. For help with deciding which SmartArt graphic layout to use, see Choose a SmartArt graphic.
Use a chart if you want to do any of the following:
-
Create a bar chart or column chart.
-
Create a line or XY scatter (data point) chart.
-
Create a stock chart, used to graph various stock prices.
-
Create a surface, donut, bubble, or radar chart.
-
Create a combination chart, such as a bar and line chart
-
Link to live data in an Excel workbook.
-
Update your chart automatically when numbers in an Excel workbook are updated.
-
Use "what-if" calculations, and you want to be able to change numbers and see the changes automatically and immediately reflected in the chart.
-
Automatically add legends or gridlines that are based on your data.
-
Use chart-specific functionality, such as error bars or data labels.
To create a chart, see Create a chart. For help with deciding which type of chart to use, see Available chart types.