How to Create and Edit Charts in Adobe Illustrator

Posted on 21st June 2023

Adobe Illustrator is a powerful vector-based design and illustration program that can be used to create all kinds of artwork, from logos and illustrations to complex infographics and data visualisations.

One of the most useful features of Illustrator is its ability to create and edit charts. Whether you’re working with numerical data or creating a pie chart to represent a concept, Illustrator’s chart tools make it easy to produce high-quality, professional-looking results.

In this article, we’ll take a look at how to create and edit charts in Adobe Illustrator. We’ll cover the different types of chart available, how to input your data, and some top tips for creating effective charts that will engage your audience.

Types of Chart

Adobe Illustrator offers a range of different chart types to suit different data sets and purposes. The most common chart types are bar charts, line charts, and pie charts, but there are also options for scatter plots, radar charts, and more.

When you’re choosing a chart type, it’s important to consider the data you’re working with and the message you’re trying to communicate. Some chart types are better suited to certain types of data than others, and some are more effective at conveying certain messages.

For example, bar charts are a good choice for data that can be broken down into categories, such as sales figures by month or market share for different companies. They’re also good for showing comparisons, such as the difference in sales between two years or the relative market share of different companies.

Line charts, on the other hand, are best for data that changes over time, such as monthly sales figures or the stock price of a company over time. They’re also good for showing trends, such as whether sales are increasing, decreasing, or staying the same.

Pie charts are a good choice for data that can be divided into parts, such as market share or the breakdown of expenses. They’re also good for showing proportions, such as the proportion of the market that is made up of different companies.

Inputting Data

Once you’ve decided on the type of chart you want to create, the next step is to input your data. Adobe Illustrator makes it easy to input data manually or import it from an external source, such as a spreadsheet.

If you’re inputting data manually, you can simply type it into the data fields in the Illustrator chart interface. You can also use the “Paste Data” option to paste data from an external source, such as a spreadsheet.

If you’re importing data from an external source, you can use the “Import Data” option to import it into Illustrator. You can import data from a variety of different file types, including CSV, XLS, and XML.

Once you’ve inputted your data, you can use the chart tools in Illustrator to edit and format it. For example, you can use the “Sort Data” option to sort the data in ascending or descending order. You can also use the “Filter Data” option to filter the data by certain criteria, such as date or value.

Editing Charts

Once you’ve created a chart, you can use the editing tools in Illustrator to make changes to it. For example, you can use the “Edit Data” tool to add, remove, or edit data points. You can also use the “Edit Legend” tool to add, remove, or edit legend entries.

You can also use the “Edit Axis” tool to change the appearance of the chart axes. For example, you can change the axis labels, the axis ranges, or the axis tick marks.

Formatting Charts

In addition to the editing tools, Adobe Illustrator also offers a range of formatting options for charts. For example, you can use the “Chart Type” option to change the type of chart. You can also use the “Chart Style” option to change the appearance of the chart, such as the colors or the fonts.

You can also use the “Data Labels” option to add data labels to the chart. Data labels can be useful for adding extra information to the chart, such as the units of measurement or the source of the data.

Top Tips for Creating Effective Charts

Here are some top tips for creating effective charts in Adobe Illustrator:

Choose the right chart type for your data and purpose
Input your data carefully and check for errors
Edit and format your chart to improve its appearance
Add data labels to provide extra information
Export your chart as a high-resolution image

By following these tips, you can create charts that are both informative and visually appealing.

Conclusion

In this article, we’ve looked at how to create and edit charts in Adobe Illustrator. We’ve covered the different types of chart available, how to input your data, and some top tips for creating effective charts that will engage your audience.

If you want to change the appearance of your chart, double-click on the chart item in the layers panel. This will open up the “Edit Chart” dialogue box. Here you can change the colors of your chart, as well as the font and font size.

To add more data to your chart, click on the “Add Data” button. This will open up a new dialogue box where you can add more data points.

Once you’re happy with your chart, you can export it as a PNG or JPG file by clicking on the “File” menu and then selecting “Export”.

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