Beginner needs help to make chart or graph or pie

[Lifesnadir]

I only know a *little* about Excel, and a *little* about presenting data on
some kind of chart. I don't know how to do formulas or anything but a basic
spreadsheet in Excel.

My Project: I need to show that my Natural Gas usage spiked during a gas
leak involving multiple pipes leaking small amounts at the same time; the
leak wasn't noticed for 4 to 6 months. I have 3 years of gas bills-- 1 year
before the leak, the year involving the leak, and 1 year after the leaks were
noticed AND fixed. I'd like a visual rendering to make it easy for a 4th
grader (i.e. my landlord - LOL) to SEE and to understand the jump in gas
usage.

What I need to know: What "pieces" of information would I need to put on my
chart /pie / graph? I know I'd need Month-Year; billed usage...amount
used.... anything else?

Once I know what pieces of info to include, what kind of visual rendering
should I make? (chart /pie /graph ?)

So, HOW do I make this rendering? Specific instructions would be most
helpful, since this is my first attempt with doing this kind of project.

Thank you for your help.

Lifes

 

[Bernard Liengme]

In column A, enter the dates
In column B enter the gas usage (cubic feet ?)
1/1/2006 2345
2/1/2006 2567
......

Click on any cell within the data
Use Chart tools to make a LINE chart

Now you should have something to work with
Go the http://peltiertech.com/Excel/ChartsHowTo/index.html to learn more

Then come back with questions but tell us what version (2007 or earlier) of
Excel you have
best wishes